Barred Owl
Strix varia


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play call  "who cooks for you?"

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Field Marks
  • Rather large owl
  • Dark eyes and yellow bill
  • Back brown, mottled with pale spots and dark bars
  • Abdomen pale with long, brown streaks
  • Breast pale with brown barring
  • Face pale with dark concentric rings surrounding eye

Habitat

Barred Owls prefer living in coniferous forests near water source, and wooded swamps. They require dense foliage for daytime roosting, and large trees with cavities for nesting.  They are sometimes active on cloudy days, however they are generally nocturnal.

Status

Barred Owls are relatively uncommon in Atlanta.  A good place to spot one is by the pond in Fernbank Forest or near the lake in Lullwater Park.