The Barred Owl is a vocal bird and it can utter a wide variety of vocalizations from hoots to screams, and barks to laughter.

The Barred Owl has a body length of 16 - 24 inches, a 3 1/2 foot wingspan, and weighs 1 1/2 - 2 pounds.

Typical Barred Owl habitat consists of forests with some mature trees near open country. The historic range encompassed the eastern half of the United States, but recently the owl’s range is expanding into western North America. Barred Owls do not migrate and will defend their nest territories throughout the year. They prefer cavities in trees, but on occasion will use open nests built by crows, ravens, hawks, or squirrels. The female lays 2 - 4 eggs that are incubated for 28 - 32 days. The young owls fledge at 6 weeks, but may not become completely independent of their parents for several months.

Barred Owls are opportunistic foragers and they eat a wide variety of prey. Rodents make up the bulk of the owl’s diet, but they will also prey upon opossums, rabbits, weasels, bats, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, crayfish, and insects. Barred Owls swoop onto their prey from a perch or while hovering, or will wade into shallow water to snatch prey.