Barred Owl
(Strix varia)
Its large size (20 inches tall - 25 cm), rounded head, lack of "ear" tufts, grayish-brown color with dark eyes and dark bars that run horizontal across its breast and vertically on its belly make Barred Owls easy to identify if you can find one. Females are similar in appearance to males but larger. Barred Owls are denizens of the deep forest. They hide inside of woodlands; preferring coniferous or mixed coniferous and deciduous forests rather than strictly deciduous forests. Large tracts of woodlands are preferred to forests that have been highly fragmented. Within these dense stands of forest, proximity to water such as swamps, marshes, streams and lakes is preferred. At night they may be identified by their characteristic call of eight hoots that are in two groups of four (hoohoo-hoohoo followed by hoohoo-hoohooaw). This call has been analogized to "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?"
The Barred Owl is a NON MIGRANT. Barred Owls (like Great Horned Owls and Eastern Screech Owls) remain in New Jersey throughout the year. They hunt in the evening and at night. Barred Owls are highly opportunistic and eat a large variety of prey. However, research studies show that Barred Owls rely heavily on voles, mice and shrews.
The Barred Owl is a NON MIGRANT. Barred Owls (like Great Horned Owls and Eastern Screech Owls) remain in New Jersey throughout the year. They hunt in the evening and at night. Barred Owls are highly opportunistic and eat a large variety of prey. However, research studies show that Barred Owls rely heavily on voles, mice and shrews.
Barred Owls prefer to live deep
inside woodlands near water
inside woodlands near water
References:
Johnsgard, P. A. 2002. North American Owls: biology and natural history. 2nd ed. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C.
Laidig, K. J. and D. S. Dobkin. 1995. Spatial overlap and habitat associations of Barred Owls and Great Horned Owls in southern New Jersey. J. Raptor Res. 29:151-157.
Mazur, Kurt M. and Paul C. James. 2000. Barred Owl (Strix varia), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online:
http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/508
Sutton, C. and P. Sutton. 1994 How to Spot an Owl Chapters Publishing Ltd., Shelburne, VT.
Walsh, J., V. Elia, R. Kane and T. Halliwell. 1999. Birds of New Jersey. New Jersey Audubon Society. Bernardsville, NJ.
Johnsgard, P. A. 2002. North American Owls: biology and natural history. 2nd ed. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C.
Laidig, K. J. and D. S. Dobkin. 1995. Spatial overlap and habitat associations of Barred Owls and Great Horned Owls in southern New Jersey. J. Raptor Res. 29:151-157.
Mazur, Kurt M. and Paul C. James. 2000. Barred Owl (Strix varia), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online:
http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/508
Sutton, C. and P. Sutton. 1994 How to Spot an Owl Chapters Publishing Ltd., Shelburne, VT.
Walsh, J., V. Elia, R. Kane and T. Halliwell. 1999. Birds of New Jersey. New Jersey Audubon Society. Bernardsville, NJ.
Barred Owls are denizens of the deep forest where water resources and trees with cavities are nearby. They tend to be intolerant of human encroachment.
The nesting period for Barred Owls starts in the spring (March). The nest site is either a cavity in a tree (often formed by old age or disease of the wood) or an old stick nest made by another raptor (e.g., hawk). The 1-5 eggs are incubated solely by the female for about a month. The males do the hunting. The young remain inside the nest for about another month and then move onto a tree limb where their parents continue to feed them. After about ten weeks of age, the juveniles will start flying over short distances but by three months of age, the distance increases.
The Barred Owl is located statewide but the greatest concentrations are in the northern and southern parts of New Jersey (Sussex, Passaic, Morris, Burlington, Cumberland, Atlantic and Cape May counties) where wetland habitat helps them to meet their survival challenges. Development pressures in counties like Bergen, Essex, Union, Middlesex, Mercer, Hunterdon, Salem, Gloucester and Camden have reduced or eliminated Barred Owl habitat.
In addition to loss of habitat, Barred Owls can be killed by being hit by vehicles, electrocuted and poisoned. Great Horned Owls prey on Barred Owls (as well as other owl species except for the Snowy Owl). Fragmentation of forest habitat due to logging, creating wildlife openings for deer and rights-of-way for utilities, has resulted in habitat suitable for Great Horned Owls. Such habitat alteration could increase predatory pressure on Barred Owls.
In addition to loss of habitat, Barred Owls can be killed by being hit by vehicles, electrocuted and poisoned. Great Horned Owls prey on Barred Owls (as well as other owl species except for the Snowy Owl). Fragmentation of forest habitat due to logging, creating wildlife openings for deer and rights-of-way for utilities, has resulted in habitat suitable for Great Horned Owls. Such habitat alteration could increase predatory pressure on Barred Owls.
A forest species
Status
Thus, due to the habitat problems this species faces, the Barred Owl is considered a threatened species in New Jersey even though they are common in some states.
Thus, due to the habitat problems this species faces, the Barred Owl is considered a threatened species in New Jersey even though they are common in some states.
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The dark eyes help to identify this owlet as a Barred Owl.
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Habitat Preference Summary
Credits: Barred Owl Portrait (Chris Lorenz|Dreamstime) / Barred Owl Owlet (Paul Wolf|Dreamstime) / Rodents, Habitat (Dorling Kindersley) / Barred Owl Illustration (Allan Brooks)
