Barred Owl A common raptor in the eastern forests, the Barred Owl is more vocal and somewhat smaller than its cousin the Great Horned Owl. This bird of prey is gray-brown above with bright white spotting. None of these incidents have any basis in fact, but traditions die hard and so for many the night call or flight of an owl can raise a chill. The call of the Barred Owl is heard in spring and fall, a time when most owls defend a territory. Click on their sound and listen for it.
Most striking feature is a ruff of feathers barred crosswise on upper chest.
Has bold lengthwise streaks on rest of underparts. The amount and richness of brown in plumage increases from north to south. Palest birds in east-central Canada and darkest in extreme south Mexico and Central America. This big, grey-brown owl has the appearance of wearing a large collar formed by the barring of the head, neck and breast feathers. The tail, back, wings and head are dark greyish-brown, barred heavily with white.