Barred Owl
What do they look like?
The barred owl is a large, round-headed bird with no "ear tufts" and dark brown eyes. It is grayish-brown with brown and white feathers streaked lengthwise down its belly. They weigh 2 lbs., stand about 20 inches tall and have a 44-inch wingspan.
This owl frequently uses the mixed pine-hardwood forests throughout Maryland. It prefers mature oak woodlands for nesting and feeding and is often found in low, wet woodlands. They build their nests in hollow trees. Two to four eggs can be found in these nests from late February through May.
What do they eat?
Like most owls, barred owls like to eat living creatures like mice, voles, rabbits, flying squirrels, small birds, snakes, frogs and insects. Their feathers are specially made so that they can fly silently which allows them to capture their food more easily.
What other kinds of
owls live in Maryland?
Six other species: the barn owl, eastern screech owl, great horned owl, northern saw-whet owl, long-eared owl and short-eared owl. The snowy owl sometimes visits in the winter.
I didn't know that!
This owl makes all kinds of sounds in the spring and summer. Some sound like squirrels barking, monkey hoots and screams. The most familiar one that turkey hunters like to use is translated "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?"
Drawing by W.H. Henry