The Barred Owl, Strix varia, is a large, charismatic bird native to the forests of eastern North America, known widely for its distinctive hooting call. While many people associate all owls with strict nighttime activity, the Barred Owl offers a more complex behavior pattern that challenges this assumption. Unlike strictly nocturnal relatives, the Barred Owl regularly engages in hunting and other behaviors outside the deep darkness. This adaptability in its activity schedule is one reason the species has become common and observable across its range. Understanding when the Barred Owl is active reveals a flexible predator that takes advantage of multiple light conditions to secure its prey.
Activity Patterns: More Than Just Night
The Barred Owl’s activity is best described as crepuscular, meaning its most concentrated period of activity occurs during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk. These periods offer a balance of sufficient light to navigate and spot prey, while still providing enough shadow to give the owl an advantage over daytime predators. The peak hunting efforts often coincide with the movement of its primary prey, which includes small mammals like rodents and shrews.
While the twilight hours are preferred, the Barred Owl is far from inactive during other times, showcasing a flexible schedule. It is frequently active into the dark hours of the night, maintaining the traditional nocturnal hunting period common to most owls. This species is also often observed hunting during the day, a behavior considered diurnal. This daytime activity increases significantly when the owl is feeding its young or when food sources are scarce.
Sensory Adaptations for Low Light Hunting
The Barred Owl possesses specialized physical traits that allow it to be an effective hunter across its varied schedule, especially in low-light environments. Its large, forward-facing dark eyes are adapted to maximize light collection, containing a high density of rod cells in the retina. This improves light sensitivity and motion detection in dim conditions. These eyes are fixed in their sockets, which is compensated for by the ability to rotate its head up to 270 degrees in either direction, thanks to a flexible neck containing 14 vertebrae.
Beyond vision, the owl’s hearing is an essential tool for locating prey, especially in complete darkness. The facial disc of feathers works like a parabolic reflector, funneling sound waves toward the asymmetrical ear openings hidden beneath the feathers. This slight difference in ear placement allows the owl to precisely triangulate the location of faint sounds, such as a mouse rustling under snow or leaves. Furthermore, the Barred Owl is capable of nearly silent flight, a trait made possible by specialized feather structures. The leading edge of its primary flight feathers has a comb-like fringe, and the trailing edge has a soft fringe, both of which work to muffle the sound of air passing over the wings as it swoops toward its target.
Daytime Behavior and Vocalization
During periods of inactivity, the Barred Owl generally seeks out dense cover for roosting. It often chooses a branch close to the trunk of a tree where its barred plumage provides excellent camouflage. This daytime rest is periodically interrupted by the movements of smaller, diurnal birds like crows and jays, which may “mob” the owl to harass it and drive it away. The owl typically remains still and relies on its coloration to avoid confrontation.
The most common way people encounter the presence of a Barred Owl is through its distinctive and loud vocalization. This call is often phonetically described as the phrase, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” This characteristic hooting is used for territorial defense and communication between mates. While the calls are frequently heard at night, the Barred Owl is one of the most vocal species during daylight hours, using its calls to define its territory.