See all posts in the Birds of Carver County series
The Barred Owl (Strix varia) is one of the few owl species observed in Carver County. Others include the Great Horned Owl, Eastern Screech Owl, Long-eared Owl and, if you are very fortunate, the Snowy Owl.
The Barred Owl is brown and gray, but its appearance changes with the amount of light present. It is a medium-sized owl – about 20 inches long, with large 42-inch wings. For comparison, an adult weighs about 2.6 pounds (720 grams), while a Snowy Owl is about 4 pounds, and a Great Horned Owl weighs about 3 pounds.
The Barred Owl can be heard throughout the day or night, and its vocalization is commonly patterned after the phrase “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you a-a-w-w-l-l.”
When there is more than one present, the calls can be screeches or barks, with each answering the other for a splendidly weird duet. Mating season is in the winter months, and this can result in territorial calling as ownership of the area is contested. They stay with a chosen mate and typically remain in the same territory year-round.
If you have binoculars, a spotting scope or telephoto lens view, its eyes will appear to be all black. If you are able to see it, it will probably have its eyes on you.
Its belly is white with dark vertical streaks, and its neck and back have horizontal barring. Like most owls, it will perch patiently and wait for indications from its prey – mice, voles, squirrels, frogs and birds.
A “fun fact” noted in the MN Department of Natural Resources website: the owl’s right ear opening is higher than its left ear. This creates an angle difference that helps pinpoint the location of its prey. After swooping silently to its target, Barred Owls will swallow their prey whole.
After digestion is complete, a compressed pellet of fur, teeth, and bones will be coughed up. These are found under the tree limb where the owl has perched. Poking through those remains provides a learning experience as different pieces of bone can provide clues as to the original owner of them. See the accompanying photo of a pellet’s collection of tiny bones on a deck rail. A holiday gift idea – owl pellets can actually be ordered from online providers!
Although Barred Owls face habitat loss, the Minnesota population is stable. However, they are not at the top of the food chain and must avoid Great Horned Owls and hawks.
Their nests are usually located in tree cavities. Because Barred Owls are predators of other birds, they face continual harassment if they are noticed by vigilant chickadees, jays and especially crows. If you hear a loud commotion in the trees, it might come from the ganged-up group loudly asking an owl to move somewhere else.
More information about owls:
- Barred Owl | Minnesota DNR
- International Owl Center in Houston, Minnesota. International Owl Center – International Owl Center
- Birds of the World – Comprehensive life histories for all bird species Birds of the World – Cornell Lab of Ornithology (subscription may be needed)
- “Sibley Guide to Birds” by David Allen Sibley (purchase needed)
