Barred Owl

The Barred Owl is a large North American owl known for its dark eyes, rounded head, and distinctive hooting call often rendered as “who cooks for you, who cooks for you all?” It inhabits mature forests, especially wooded swamps, river bottoms, and other dense wooded areas, and feeds mainly on small mammals and other small animals.

The Barred Owl is a large North American owl with dark eyes and a rounded head, best known for its distinctive hooting call. It inhabits mature forests and wooded swamps across eastern North America and parts of southern Canada.

What it is

The Barred Owl (Strix varia) is a medium-to-large owl with barred brown-and-white plumage and no ear tufts. Females are larger than males. Its most famous vocalization is a deep, rhythmic hoot often rendered as 'who cooks for you, who cooks for you all?' It also makes barking, cackling, and screaming calls.

Where it lives

Barred Owls prefer mature deciduous or mixed forests, wooded swamps, and river bottoms. They are widespread in eastern North America and have expanded into parts of the Northwest. In Canada, they occur in southern regions where suitable forest habitat exists.

What it eats

Barred Owls are opportunistic predators. Their diet consists mainly of small mammals like mice and squirrels, but they also eat birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates. They hunt from perches and sometimes near water.