The Barred Owl is what is commonly referred to as the "Hoot Owl" in the southeastern United States, as its deep hoots are common sounds in the thick forests of the region. While primarily nocturnal, they are sometimes actively hunting during daylight hours. They are nearly as large as the Great Horned Owl, but are generally much less aggressive and unable to directly compete with them. In South Dakota, they are rare and local, with most sightings in the extreme southeastern part of the state.
Habitat:
Prefers dense woodlands with just a few scattered clearings. Much of the time they are found in low-lying, swampy environments. In the eastern United States, they are most often found in deciduous forests, but in the northern and western parts of their range, can also be found in coniferous forest.
Diet:
Primarily feeds on small mammals such as mice and shrews, as well as larger mammals including rabbits, squirrels, and opossums. They will also eat a variety of birds, lizards, snakes, frogs and toads, salamanders, and large insects. Birds near aquatic environments will also consume fish and crustaceans.
Behavior:
Often most active at dawn and dusk, but may hunt at any time of day or night. Hunts by either searching from a high perch, or by flying low through the forest in search of prey. Paired birds will often call to each other.
Nesting:
The nest of a Barred Owl is in a large cavity in a tree, or sometimes in an old hawk or crow nest. The female lays 2 or 3 eggs, and she does most of the incubating. When the young hatch, the male typically does most of the hunting at first while the female stays with the young. The young typically fledge after about 6 weeks.
Interactive eBird Map:
Click to access an interactive eBird map of Barred Owl sightings
Song:
The Barred Owl is known for its distinctive, rhythmic eight-to-nine note hooting call, commonly interpreted as "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?". In addition to this classic hoot, they are highly vocal, creating a wide variety of sounds including primate-like cackles, screams, and caws
Migration:
Generally a permanent resident throughout their range.
Similar Species:
Barred owls are best identified by their large, round heads lacking ear tufts, combined with dark brown eyes and a distinctive mottled brown-and-white plumage. They differ from Great Horned Owls by having vertical brown streaks on their lower belly rather than horizontal barring, and from Barn Owls by their lack of a heart-shaped, white face. Their presence is frequently announced by a loud, rhythmic "who cooks for you, who cooks for you all" call which is unique from other large owls.
Conservation Status:
Barred Owls are still common and widespread in much of their normal range, but they have declined locally where swamp habitat has been destroyed. However, in recent decades they have expanded their range in western Canada and the Northwest U.S. In these areas, they have begun to compete with the Spotted Owl, and have also hybridized with them. Overall, populations are not threatened, and the IUCN lists the Barred Owl as a species of "Least Concern".
Photo Information:
April 22nd, 2008 - Newton Hills State Park, South Dakota - Terry Sohl
