Hazel

Species: Barred Owl
Scientific Name: Strix varia
Size: Body length of 16.9-19.7 inches, a wingspan of 3-4 feet, weighs 1 – 2.3 pounds

WHY AM I HERE?
I came to Fresno Wildlife from another rehabilitation in Georgia. I was found near Atlanta in the middle of the road with the owl equivalent of a bloody nose. We think I was hit by a car while eating roadkill. After the rehab took me in and fixed me up they found I was blind in my left eye. The retina in that eye is completely detached and my cornea didn’t heal properly which resulted in an ulcer forming. My caregivers her at Fresno Wildlife manage the injury and my pain very well! I am able to live a comfortable, pain-free life even though I cannot be returned to the wild!

I AM SPECIAL BECAUSE
My hooting call sounds like “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?”! Fossils of Barred owls have been found in Florida, Tennessee, and Ontario that are at least 11,000 years old! The oldest recorded Barred owl was at least 24 years old!

RANGE
Barred owls typically live in the eastern United States and up into western Canada. They typically do not migrate, but have recently been found in the old growth forests in Oregon and California. They live in large trees often near water.

DIET
Barred owls eat many kinds of small animals like squirrels, mice, voles, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates. They sit very high up and scan for prey. They occasionally perch over water and drop down to catch fish or even wade into the water. Most hunting is done at dusk and throughout the night, but sometimes they also feed during the day.

NESTING
Barred owls usually build nest in a cavity 20-40 feet high or take nests from other animals. They do little to alter the nest or cavity other than some lichen or feathers. Clutches are typically 1-5 eggs with one brood per year and incubate for about 28-33 days.