The Barred Owl
One Feather at a Time — Ep. 13
The Barred Owl is considered fairly common in eastern Canada, but I’ve only seen one a couple of times. Both sightings were early in the morning in winter, when the forest was quiet. The owl was perched high on a branch, resting, barely moving. It blended into the tree so well I almost missed it.
Barred Owl
They’re large owls with rounded heads, dark eyes, and a pattern of horizontal bars across the chest and vertical streaks below. I’ve found them in wooded areas with older trees, often near water or quiet trails. They tend to sit still for long stretches, scanning the ground below or simply resting. Barred Owls hunt small mammals, birds, and amphibians. They fly silently, thanks to soft-edged feathers that muffle their wingbeats. I haven’t seen one hunt yet, unfortunately.
They nest in tree cavities, usually in large, old trees. I haven’t come across a nest myself, but I’ve read they’ll also use abandoned hawk or squirrel nests if needed. They tend to stay in the same area year-round if food and shelter are reliable. Spotting one takes patience and a bit of luck. I scan tree branches slowly, looking for a rounded shape that doesn’t quite match the tree.
