Barred Owl

Types of Typical Owls Burrowing Owl Great-horned Owl Screech Owl Spectacled Owl Snowy Owl Types of Owls

The Barred Owl (Strix varia) is one of three Strix species found in the United States and less known that its relative the Spotted Owl.

They have a large established presence in the Eastern United States and have been extending their territory in the Pacific Northwest.

Because they are larger and more agressive than Spotted Owls, concerns continue to mount that they are adding additional pressure on declining Spotted Owl populations. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service recently released a revised Spotted Owl recovery plan that includes additional research on Barred Owl impacts on Spotted Owl populations.

© 2009 Patricia A. Michaels