The rich baritone hooting of the Barred Owl is a distinctive sound often heard in their preferred habitats, which include woodlands, wooded river bottoms, and wooded swamps. These owls favor dense, thick woods with scattered clearings, particularly in low-lying and swampy areas. While most common in deciduous or mixed woods in the Southeast, Barred Owls can also be found in mature coniferous trees in the North and the Pacific Northwest.
Barred Owls hunt both day and night, with peak activity at dawn and dusk. They seek prey by watching from a perch or flying low through the forest, and occasionally hover before pouncing to catch prey with their talons. Pairs often call in duets, adding to the chorus of the forest.
Nesting sites are typically in large natural tree hollows, broken-off snags, or old nests of hawks, crows, or squirrels. They rarely nest on the ground. In the East, they often reuse old Red-shouldered Hawk nests, with hawks and owls sometimes alternating use of the same nest in different years.
Barred Owls usually live around 10 years in the wild, though some can reach 15-18 years. The oldest recorded wild bird lived over 20 years. In captivity, they often exceed 20 years, with some living over 30 years due to protection from predators and consistent food sources. Despite this potential for longevity, high mortality rates in their first year mean many do not reach old age.
Thank you for visiting this cache, and we hope you enjoy observing the birds along the trail!