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“Who-cooks-for-you, who-cooks-for-you” — this is the distinctive hooting of the barred owl. A resident of deep forests, including swamps, riparian and upland habitats, this owl often relies on secondary tree cavities for nests. Because it is associated with large trees in old forests, this raptor is often used as an indicator species in the management of old forests.
A large owl with a round head and no ear tufts, the barred owl may be confused with the closely related spotted owl. In fact, hybrids of the two are known. In the last century, this nocturnal bird of prey has expanded its range north and west through the boreal forest and south into California. In Canada, the barred owl can be found across southern Canada (more centrally across the Prairies) and throughout British Columbia. This range expansion into the Pacific Northwest has brought it into contact with the endangered spotted owl, which the more aggressive barred owl has been known to displace.
For more information about the barred owl, visit Birds of North America Online.