Barred Owl

Barred Owl

True wildlife | Barred Owl | Barred Owls are large owls that are between 43 and 50 cms (17 - 20 inches) in length, they have a wingspan between 99 and 110 cms (39 - 43 inches) and they weigh between 470 and 1,050 g (16.6 - 37 oz).
Their upperside is mottled grey in colour and their underside is pale grey. They have dark coloured markings in the form of bars that run horizontally across their chest and vertically down their front.
Their head is rounded in shape and they lack any ear tufts. Their beak is yellow and they have brown coloured eyes. Their legs and feet are covered with feathers up to their talons.
Barred Owls are highly vocal and their usual call consists of a series of eight hoots. When they are agitated they will make a rasping hiss and other calls include a short barking sound.
Barred Owls feed upon a variety of prey including mice, voles, shrews, moles, rats, squirrels, opossums, mink, weasels, birds, bats, young rabbits, snakes, lizards, frogs, fish and insects. They are opportunistic hunters and they wait high up on a perch then swoop down on their prey. They usually eat their catch straight away, but bigger catches are taken to a perch before they are consumed.