Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Barred Owl.  Photo courtesy of Arol McCaslin.  This somewhat common owl is a large (17-24 in. tall) owl of our deciduous woodlands.  This nocturnal preditor hunts mainly squirrels and small rodents in our forestlands.  We seldom see, but often hear, this woodland owl.  The call is longer and louder than the call of the Great Horned Owl.  It goes something like this:
"hoo-hoo-wahooo", or some have described the song as "who cooks for you".  The call is often quickly repeated and then they often drag the ending out longer on the second repeat.
Once you hear the this owl,  you will forever know it.  During the spring courting season they go crazy and will sometime very loudly vocalize with what can only be described as "jungle calls".