By James Burnette, PR Intern Three barred owls have lived in the North Carolina Wildlife Exhibit since 1989 and are a special attraction for visitors. The state's lush pine forests form an excellent home for our fine feathered friends, who can be found living in moist woodlands throughout Canada and the United States.
Barred owls get their name from the dark bars and streaks that decorate their bellies.
The upper portion of their bodies take on lighter tones, with their round heads colored by pale shades of gray and brown. These owls do not have the distinctive, horn-like ear tufts that can be found on many other types of owls. The adult barred owl ranges in length from 17 to 24 inches, which is roughly the size of a small house cat. Barred owls are classified as birds of prey, which means that they eat other small animals for food. Barred owls have certain qualities that allow them to be excellent hunters, especially for small rodents, insects, and birds.