Scientific Name: Strix varia              

Class:                  Aves              

Order:                  Strigiformes              

Family:                 Strigidae                   

Feeding Type:    Carnivorous              

Range:                 East of the Rockies from central Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and in the mountains as far south as Honduras           

Habitat:                Low, wet woods and swamp forest            

Diet in the Wild:  Rodents, birds, frogs, crayfish and squirrels                                

Diet at the Zoo:  Mice                             

Description:

Both male and female Barred owls have dull shades of brown and gray. Distinct bars run across the chest, hence the name. They measure about 20 inches in height and weigh about 3 pounds, with the females being the larger of the species.

Adaptation/Behavior:

Owls are nocturnal, and they have excellent hearing and sight to help hunt for prey. They are also silent flyers because of the soft, downy covering of feathers. This enables owls to swoop down silently to an unsuspecting prey. Talons are powerful and with its strong sharp beak, owls can rip its prey apart.

Courtship/Breeding:

Breeding usually coincides with the abundance of prey, but most will have 2 broods of owlets each year. Nests are created in unlined cavities of hollow trees and 2 to 4 white eggs are laid. Incubation is between 4 to 7 weeks. Females incubate the eggs while the males provide food.

Conservation:

Barred owls are considered to be fairly common and stable. However, the loss of habitat and the

increase in human activities may pose as a threat to these birds. Barred owls are attracted to shiny objects, and wrappers that are thrown out of car windows at night could be potential hazards.        

 

Interesting Facts	Our Animals
Owls have one ear that is higher than the other. This enables the owl to pinpoint its prey. Owls can turn their head almost 180 degrees.	He is blind in the left eye, with 30% vision in his right. Right wing suffers from soft tissue damage. He will not be able to fly well. Injuries caused by an automobile.