Common Name: Barred Owl Scientific Name: Strix Varia

Identifying Charaterictics: An all-gray owl (although some individuals have a brown wash) streaked with white horizontal barring on the chest and vertical barring on the belly. It has a yellow beak and no tuffs on the head. Its brown eyes distinguish it from the great gray owl.

Range: Found in the United States and the Southern Canada east of the Rocky Mountains, although it has been recently expanding its range westward. This is causing concern, as it may complete with the endangered spotted owl.

Habitat: A woodland owl associated with the flood plains, river bottoms, and the lake margins.

Nesting: A cavity nesting owl that will also nest in old crow or hawk nests or human man-made structure.

Feeding Habits: Barred owls feed on a variety of preys, including rodents, squirrels rabbits, birds, and crustaceans.

Conservation Status: A very common species with no special status.