Barred Owl (Strix varia) Barton, 1799 |
Other names: Northern barred owl |
Strix varia is native to North America, and is common throughout the eastern United States and southern Canada. It also expanded its range into the northern Great Plains and the West Coast. Isolated populations occur in mountains of central Mexico. This owl prefers mature forest with large trees, but is also found in open woodland areas. Barred Owl nests in tree cavities, old stick nests of hawks or corvids, or atop squirrel dreys. This species lays eggs from early-January to mid-April, 2-4 eggs per clutch. Incubation lasts ca. 4 weeks, and the young fledge at 4-5 weeks after hatching. S. varia feeds mainly on small mammals, but also catches birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.
6150 Barred Owl (Strix varia); light form Amherst Island Lake-Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved |