The Barred Owl belongs to the Order
Strigiformes which includes all birds that have eyes fixed in
their socket, a large head and short
neck. Most, but not all, are nocturnal. They are also members of the Family
Strigidae.
Owls look to be able to move their
head completely around. This total movement is just an illusion.
Often, they sit with their head
looking over their shoulder to prevent predators from sneaking up
behind them. If they hear a noise
which they can't see, they will turn their head quickly to the front, then
to the other shoulder.
Owls cannot do that since their eyes
are fixed in the socket and so must have more flexible necks to allow them
to see behind them. Barred Owls can be recognized by their medium size
length 17-24 "and wingspread 41-44", dark eyes and vertical brown and white
stripes or barring on their chest and stomach Below the beak but
above the chest , the stripes go horizontal. Males and females are the
same color, but as in most birds of prey, the females are slightly larger.
Their round head has no feather tufts.
In the west, Barred Owls prefer second
growth mixed conifer and deciduous forest to live in.
Interested in eastern North America
they prefer forests. It is an adaptable owl and is expanding its range
to include old growth areas (trees over 200 years old!!!!!!!!!! Barred
Owls eat only living creatures such as mice, voles, rabbits, rats, flying
squirrels, reptiles and large insects. Because Barred Owls live near water,
they will also go down to the water's shore to catch frogs
and other amphibians. http://www.ai-design.com/stargig/raptor/global/content/report/BarredOwl.html