Field Notes

Barred Owl

February 10, 2022

Barred Owls are relatively common, year round residents of woods with mature trees and water nearby. With its forests, lakes, and wetlands, Timbers Recreation Area has fantastic habitat for these birds. Although they are common, they are mostly nocturnal and have great camouflage so you are much more likely hear their distinctive call (“Who cooks for you?”) than to see them.

They hunt and eat many kinds of small animals (including squirrels, chipmunks, mice, voles, rabbits, birds, and fish) by scanning the forest floor or water body from an elevated perch. Other birds recognize them as predators so small songbirds, crows, and woodpeckers may band together to mob them – keep an eye out for this ruckus as a clue to their location.

Barred Owls are fiercely territorial and don’t move around much. In fact, in one study of 158 birds, none had moved farther than 6 miles away. One motivation to move could be their most dangerous predator, the Great Horned Owl. The two species rarely exist in the same area.

Keep your eyes open for a roosting Barred Owl on a quiet walk through mature forest and keep your ears open any time of day or night for their call (“Who cooks for you?”)

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