Barred Owl

The barred owl (Strix varia) is one of North America’s most recognizable forest owls, known for its rounded head, dark eyes, and the brown‑and‑white streaking that gives the species its name. Its signature call—often transcribed as “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you‑all?”—echoes through mature forests and wooded swamps, especially at dusk and into the night .

Barred owls thrive in large, mature forests with a mix of dense canopy and open understory, though they adapt readily to semi‑open woodlands and even suburban green spaces.

Their expansion into western forests has raised ecological concerns, as barred owls compete directly with the threatened northern spotted owl for territory and resources. Larger, more aggressive, and less specialized in their habitat needs, barred owls often outcompete their spotted counterparts, contributing to ongoing conservation challenges in the region.

Sources:
Wikipedia Barred owl – Wikipedia
All About Birds Barred Owl Overview – All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Britannica Barred owl | Britannica
Audubon 10 Fun Facts About the Barred Owl – Audubon

https://hoosierbird.com/
@hoosier_bird
#Bird Watching #Bird Calls #Bird Songs #Bird Photography #Nature Photography #Birding #Nature Photography