Barred Owl Photo Gallery
Adult (Northern)
Fairly large, with dark eyes and a yellow bill. Buffy below with dark streaks, and brown on the back with white mottling.
© Blair Dudeck | Macaulay LibraryOntario, November 03, 2020Adult (Northern)
Upperparts are brown with mottling, and the tail is brown with white barring.
© Sean Fitzgerald | Macaulay LibraryMinnesota, January 30, 2017Adult (Northern)
Mostly nocturnal, but sometimes active in morning and evening. Tends to sit quietly, swiveling head to listen for prey. Note round head and brown eyes.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryArkansas, March 01, 2005Not all videos have soundJuvenile (Northern)
Juveniles are gray and fluffy with darker brown barring and mottling throughout.
© Tina Green | Macaulay LibraryConnecticut, May 03, 2017Adult (Northern)
Often occurs as pairs throughout the year.
© Matthew Violette | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, June 07, 2016Adult (Northern)
Typically conceals itself amid branches and foliage to sleep during the day. Sometimes discovered by forest birds and mobbed or scolded; their calls can be a good way to find owls.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, April 12, 2015Not all videos have soundAdult (Northern)
Hunts for a variety of prey, including amphibians and fish.
© Louise Auclair | Macaulay LibraryQuebec, December 30, 2016Adult (Northern)
Typically occurs in well wooded habitats, but will come to edges and more open areas.
© Scott Gibson | Macaulay LibraryOntario, February 04, 2017Adult (Northern)
Flies with broad, rounded wings. Big head and flat face gives a blunt-headed appearance in flight that can help distinguish from hawks.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryArkansas, April 08, 2005Not all videos have soundCompare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Species in This Family
Owls(Order: Strigiformes, Family: Strigidae)
Need Bird ID Help? Try Merlin
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.