Barred Owl

Barred Owl key facts

Care level

Advanced

Lifespan

10-20 years

Size

50-60cm (Florida birds: males 681-800g, females 850-875g)

Diet

Frozen mice, rats, day-old chicks and quail; in the wild mainly small mammals, plus birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates

Cage

A large cavity nester, it needs a spacious aviary with a nest box to retreat into and perches at several heights. As a bird of mature forest it wants shade and quiet space.

Temperament

A solitary hunter with no group sociability. Nest defence when breeding is fierce, and attacks on people approaching nests are recorded in North America.

Vocalization

It gives a distinctive eight-note hoot, rendered in English as who cooks for you, who cooks for you all. The call is loud and carries, so keeping one near neighbours calls for care.

Notes

Listed on CITES Appendix II, so import requires an export permit. In western North America the species is regarded as an invasive threat to native owls, so escape prevention matters.

About Barred Owl

Learn about the Barred Owl, a large North American owl known for its distinctive eight-note call and black eyes. Explore its temperament, care difficulty, and what to know before bringing one home.

7 things to know before welcoming a Barred Owl

1. 1Advanced-Level Care Required

   The Barred Owl is classified as suitable only for advanced keepers with prior raptor experience. Handling and environmental management call for specialized knowledge, making this a poor choice for anyone new to keeping owls or birds of prey.

2. 2A Large Flight Space Is Essential

   Adults grow to around 50–60 cm, so they need an enclosure or flight space large enough to fully spread their wings and fly. A cramped setup can lead to muscle weakness and stress.

3. 3A Distinctive Eight-Note Call

   Barred Owls are known for an eight-note call often described as sounding like "who cooks for you," which they tend to voice at night. Because the call carries well, it's worth considering your surroundings before keeping one.

4. 4A Fully Carnivorous Diet

   As a bird of prey, its diet centers on whole prey items like mice rather than pellets or seeds. Feeding and storing whole prey takes some getting used to.

5. 5Not a Cuddly Companion

   Unlike dogs, cats, or some companion birds, Barred Owls aren't the type to bond closely or seek affection. They tend to be quiet and watchful, so it's best not to expect hand-taming or close physical contact.

6. 6Ear-Tuft-Free Face With Black Eyes

   One identifying feature is the absence of ear tufts, combined with a round face and black eyes — a helpful point to check when looking at an individual bird.

7. 7Line Up a Specialist Vet First

   Before bringing one home, it's important to find a veterinarian experienced with birds of prey. Make sure you have support in place for day-to-day care, including feeding and molting-season needs.

Frequently asked questions about Barred Owl

Q.Can a first-time owner keep a Barred Owl?

A.The Barred Owl is considered suitable for advanced keepers. It isn't recommended as a first bird for someone without prior experience keeping birds of prey.

Q.How loud is its call?

A.It's known for an eight-note call often described as "who cooks for you," which tends to carry well at night. This is worth factoring into your choice of environment.

Q.What does it eat?

A.As a raptor, its diet is based on whole prey such as mice rather than pellets or seeds. It's important to understand proper feeding methods beforehand.

Q.Can I hold and pet it like a typical pet?

A.It isn't the type to bond and seek affection the way a dog or cat might, and tends to be quiet and watchful. It's best not to expect close physical contact.

Q.How big does it grow?

A.Adults reach around 50–60 cm, making it a large owl. Individuals from Florida have been recorded at roughly 681–800 g for males and 850–875 g for females.

Useful tools for Barred Owl care

Learn more about Barred Owl in the encyclopedia

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