Voice of the Swamp: A Guide to the Barred Owl

With dark brown eyes, horizontal chest barring, and a booming hoot that asks “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?”, the Barred Owl (Strix varia) is one of the most recognizable nocturnal raptors in North America.

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1. Native Range and Habitat

• Range: Native across eastern North America, expanding across Canada to the Pacific Northwest.
• Habitat: Large expanses of mature hardwood and river bottomland swamps with large hollow trees.

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2. Eating Habits and Nocturnal Hunting

• Diet: Voles, mice, shrews, crayfish, frogs, snakes, small fish, and large beetles.
• Hunting Strategy: Perch-and-pounce hunting along marshy banks and forest clearings using exceptional low-light vision and directional hearing.

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3. Key Facts

• Silent Flight: Specialized soft feather serrations break up air turbulence, allowing Barred Owls to fly in total silence.
• Brown Eyes: Unlike most North American owls that have yellow eyes, Barred Owls have striking, deep dark brown eyes.

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4. Nest Box Specifications

• Floor Area: 12" x 12" to 13" x 13".
• Box Height: 23 to 26 inches.
• Entrance Hole: 7 inches wide by 6 inches high (oval).
• Bedding: Add 3 inches of pine shavings.
• Mounting Height: 15 to 30 feet up a mature tree in secluded woods.