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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. CLXXV
Field-journal plate: Barred Owl
The Barred Owl plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate CLXXV

Barred Owl

Strix varia

Strigidae · Taxon 19893

Length16.9–19.7 in (43–50 cm), both sexes
Wingspan39.0–43.3 in (99–110 cm), both sexes
Weight16.6–37.0 oz (470–1,050 g), both sexes; females are generally larger

Field marks

  1. Large, stocky owl with a rounded head and no ear tufts
  2. Gray-white facial disc with dark brown eyes and a short yellow hooked bill
  3. Upper breast crossed by horizontal brown bars; lower underparts marked with vertical brown streaks
  4. Brown upperparts mottled and barred with buff-white
  5. Broad, rounded wings and a medium-length rounded tail, both barred brown and pale
  6. Densely feathered legs; feet and talons are often largely concealed while perched

HabitatLarge, mature deciduous, mixed, or coniferous forests, especially wooded swamps and forests near water; dense foliage provides daytime roosts, while large trees and cavities provide nest sites.

BehaviorMostly nocturnal, with activity also around dawn, dusk, and occasionally daytime. Roosts quietly in trees or cavities by day; hunts mainly from a perch, then swoops onto prey, but may also fly low, hover, or take aquatic prey. Territorial pairs communicate with resonant hoots. Diet includes small mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, crayfish, and invertebrates.

Palette

warm browngray-brownbuff-whitedark brownbill yellow