Connect the Dots Barred Owl
Strix varia
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Conservation Status: Least Concern
What does the barred owl look like?
Barred owls are large with rounded heads, no ear tufts, and medium-length, rounded tails. They are mottled with brown
and white feathers and have dark brown, almost black, eyes. Their underbelly is marked with vertical brown bars on a
white background, and their upper breast is crossed with horizontal brown bars. The wings and tail are “barred” brown
and white.
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Where does the barred owl live?
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The barred owl is the most common of the nocturnal raptors
on Kiawah Island. Their habitats are the large, mature
maritime forests They nest in tree cavities.
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What does the barred owl sound like?
The barred owl’s call is very distinctive. It sounds like,
“Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?”
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Interesting Owl Facts
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Owls have soft feathers that allow them to silently
swoop down and grab unsuspecting prey, typically
rats and mice.
A group of owls is called a parliament.
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Most owls hunt insects, small mammals,
and other birds. Some owl species hunt
fish.
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Owls can turn their heads as much as
270 degrees.
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Owls are farsighted, meaning they can’t
see things close to their eyes clearly.
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