Barred owls have brown eyes and lack ear tufts. The neck and upper breast have transverse barring and the belly contains vertical brown streaks. Strix varia is dimorphic in body size. Males are 48 cm in length and have a mean weight of 630 g, whereas females are 51cm in length and have an average weight of 800g. The wingspan of Strix varia is between 107 and 111 cm.
Juveniles are a red-brown color with buff barring on the neck.
Without exception Strix varia hunts prey that can be swallowed whole. Hunting is mainly done from a perch. Reproduction Breeding season occurs from December to March. Strix varia is monogamous, pairing for life. Although the barred owl prefers to nest in tree cavities, this species is known to use empty hawk nests, crows nests or squirrel nests.