Tag Archives: Barred Owl

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Laura Baker wrote, “Here's a photo of a Barred Owl I snapped today up here in Annapolis.  It's peeking behind a strand of Usnea lichen.  I have to admit having mixed feelings about seeing it.  On the one hand, it's a beautiful, powerful bird.  But as you probably know, the Barred Owls are driving out our local and less aggressive Northern Spotted Owls.”

This beautiful owl used to be an owl of the eastern part of the United States but in the 20th century it started to migrate towards the Pacific Northwest. For better or worse, the Barred Owl is here. These owls fly noiselessly so it's often difficult to spot them.

For comparison, here's a Northern Spotted Owl, photographed some years ago by Craig Tooley.

Thank to Laura and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

No fog today and temps are very warm when you get away from the ocean!

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Craig Tooley recently photographed a Barred Owl, a large owl native to Eastern North America. It has, however,  made its way to the Pacific Northwest in recent years.

There is concern that Barred Owls will negatively affect the native Spotted Owls. The Barred Owl’s hooting call is described as, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?” You can hear it for yourself at this link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/sounds

To compare a Barred with a Spotted Owl, here is a look at a Spotted that Craig photographed some time ago.

I love owls, I admit it. I heard the hooting of a Great Horned Owl a few nights ago and it brought me comfort!

Thanks to Craig for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's wonderful nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

It's sunny today with a northwest wind - more upwelling in the ocean! Rain coming in for the weekend.

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There have been two sightings of a Barred Owl in the past couple of weeks. They look very similar to Spotted Owls. Allen Francis photographed this owl.

barred-owl-by-allen-francisAnd Lita Gitt took this photo last week. Lita said the owl stayed perched there for fifteen minutes, while she even moved around and talked to it!

barred-owl-by-lita-gittA Barred Owl's stomach markings are vertical, and a Spotted Owl's are horizontal. The Barred Owl's call is said to sound like, "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all." You can see if you agree by listening here at this link at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/sounds

Thanks to Allen and Lita for allowing me to share their photos with you here.