Barred Owl

Tyto alba

What They Look Like

The Barred Owl is a large owl that stands about 21 inches tall.  It has a barred chest, a streaked belly and dark eyes. 

  

Where They Live

This owl is found commonly throughout both the Lower and Upper Peninsulas of Michigan.  They live in mature or old growth deciduous and coniferous forests and prefer to nest in tree cavities but they will sometimes nest in old hawk or squirrel nests.

  

What They Eat

The Barred Owl will eat mice, rabbits, amphibians, reptiles, insects, voles and shrews.  They are ambush hunters, which means that they sit very still and wait for one of these to come by and then swoop down and catch them. 

  

Things to Know

The Barred Owl was once considered the most common owl in Michigan but its numbers have slowly been decreasing due to habitat change.  They have a distinctive call, which is a series of hoots that sound like they say, “who-cooks-for-you, who-cooks-for-you-all”, making it one only two owls in Michigan which are true “hooters.”

Why We Have One

MUCC got its Barred Owl in February of 2004.  Its left wing was broken and never healed properly so now it cannot fly, and also cannot be returned to the wild.