Barred Owl

The Barred Owl is a large, round-headed owl without ear tufts, easily recognized by its dark brown eyes (most North American owls have yellow eyes), and a plumage pattern of horizontal barring across the upper breast that transitions to vertical brown streaking on the belly. Its overall grayish-brown, mottled plumage helps it blend seamlessly into the mature forest canopy it favors.

This owl is best known for its distinctive, rhythmic call, often phonetically rendered as "who cooks for you, who cooks for you all," one of the most recognizable owl vocalizations in North America.

Key Field Marks

• Large, round head with no ear tufts
• Dark brown (not yellow) eyes, distinctive among large North American owls
• Horizontal barring across the upper chest transitioning to vertical streaking on the belly
• Mottled grayish-brown overall plumage

Similar Species

• Great Horned Owl: has prominent ear tufts and yellow eyes, easily distinguishing it from the Barred Owl.
• Spotted Owl: closely related and similar in shape, but shows spotting rather than streaking on the underparts and is found in old-growth forests of the West; the two species can hybridize where ranges overlap.

Range

Barred Owls are found throughout much of eastern North America, and have expanded significantly westward through Canada into the Pacific Northwest and California over the past century, an expansion of conservation concern for the closely related Spotted Owl.

Habitat

They favor mature forests, especially those with a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees, along with wooded swamps and riparian corridors, requiring large trees with cavities for nesting.

Voice

The classic call, "who cooks for you, who cooks for you all," is an eight-note hooting phrase, but Barred Owls also produce a wide range of other calls, including loud caterwauling and gurgling sounds, especially when a pair duets or interacts with other owls.

Hunting

They hunt mainly at night from a perch, dropping down on small mammals, birds, amphibians, and even crayfish or fish caught at the water's edge, using silent flight to approach prey undetected.

Nesting

Barred Owls nest in large tree cavities or old stick nests built by other large birds, typically laying two to three eggs, and are known for strong site fidelity, often using the same territory for many years.