Barred Owl Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
Spotted Owl
Adult (California)
Spotted Owls have brown underparts marked by white spots, lacking the brown vertical barring of Barred Owls.
© Max Leibowitz | Macaulay LibraryCaliforniaSimilar Species
Great Horned Owl
Adult (Great Horned)
Great Horned Owls have yellow eyes and prominent ear tufts instead of the Barred Owl’s black eyes and rounded head.
© Tony V | Macaulay LibraryWashington, March 17, 2017Similar Species
Barn Owl
Adult
Barn Owls are much paler than Barred Owls, with a plain or lightly spotted belly without the streaking seen on Barred Owls. They occur in more open country rather than forests where Barred Owls occur.
© Darren Clark | Macaulay LibraryIdaho, January 21, 2017Similar Species
Great Gray Owl
Adult
Great Gray Owls are considerably larger and grayer overall than Barred Owls with yellow (not dark) eyes.
© Ian Davies | Macaulay LibraryQuebecMain Species
Barred Owl
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 sound
Juvenile (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 sound
Adult (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 sound
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Species in This Family
Owls(Order: Strigiformes, Family: Strigidae)
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