Barred owl

species of bird

The barred owl is a large owl commonly found in eastern North America.

Barred owl
Scientific classification
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Binomial name
Strix varia
Barton, 1799

Description

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The barred owl grow 43 to 61 centimeters (17 to 21 in) with a wingspan of 102 to 127 centimeters (40 to 50 in) at full length. The average male weigh 630 grams (22 oz) and female weigh 800 grams (28 oz). It has a round head with dark brown eyes while most owls in the eastern United States have yellow eyes. The barred owl lives about 10 to 12 years in the wild.[1]

Habitat

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The barred owl lives in the woods across the eastern United States, southern Canada and Alaska. They sometimes migrate to Central America in the winter.[1][2] The great horned owl is the only predator of the barred owl.[1]

Reproduction

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The barred owl makes nests on tree limbs and are usually near ponds or lakes. They may use nests that have been left by other animals. They can lay 1 to 5 eggs. Eggs hatch in 28 days and the young begin to fly 42 days later.[1]

The barred owl eats rabbits, squirrels, bats, snakes, and small insects.[2] They are able to find food from a far distance from its great hearing sense. They can also hunt fish.[1]

References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Corbett, Lori; Denny Rogers (2008). The illustrated owl: Barn, Barred, & Great Horned: the ultimate reference guide for bird lovers, woodcarvers, and artists. The Denny Rogers Visual Reference series (illustrated ed.). Fox Chapel Publishing. pp. 84/5. ISBN 978-1565233133.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Barred Owl". National Geographic Society. 2006. Retrieved 2010-11-27.