Barred Owl

Description:

Barred Owls are large, stocky owls with rounded heads, no ear tufts, and medium length, rounded tails. Barred Owls are mottled brown and white overall, with dark brown, almost black, eyes. The underparts are mostly marked with vertical brown bars on a white background, while the upper breast is crossed with horizontal brown bars. The wings and tail are barred brown and white.

Habitat:

Barred Owls live in large, mature forests made up of both deciduous trees and evergreens, often near water. They nest in tree cavities. In the Northwest, Barred Owls have moved into old-growth coniferous forest, where they compete with the threatened Spotted Owl.

Notes:

Saw this little guy on a hike near my home. There were two adults nearby watching me intently.