The Barred Owl is widespread in
North America occurring across most of the eastern half of the
continent from Florida northward to southern Canada. Barred Owls
prefer deep moist forests, wooded swamps, and woodlands near
waterways. Courtship activities begin in February with breeding
occurring between March and August. Barred Owls nest in cavities
and will also use abandoned Red-shouldered Hawk, Cooper's Hawk,
Squirrel or Crow nests. They will also take to nest boxes quite
readily. The Barred Owl House can be mounted high in a tree with
the two metal hangers. The Barred Owl House includes a side
clean-out and wood shavings for nesting material. |
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| Introducing the Hawk Eye Nature Cam, a miniature marvel that brings full color, real-time video action from the Great Out-of-doors right into the living room. Whether focused on owls or wrens raising their young in a birdhouse, squirrels raiding the bird feeder, or hummingbirds drinking nectar, the Hawk Eye Nature Cam shows you the real-time, live action in bright, living color on your television. Simply mount the Hawk Eye in a birdhouse, next to a feeder, or anywhere you want to watch wildlife or horses and other livestock, or pets, or . . . the possibilities are endless. Run the camera's 100-foot cord into the house, plug it into the television, then sit back, relax, and get ready to be astonished. During the day the scene will be in bright, living color. When the sun sets and the light begins to fade, the Hawk Eye's infrared lights take over, bathing the area in invisible light enabling you to continue watching in total darkness. There's even a built-in microphone so you can hear bird calls and songs, the wind and the rain, and all the other sounds of nature we so often miss while cooped up inside. The Hawk Eye also comes with a protective weather shield, so it can be used anywhere inside or out. The Hawk Eye . . . it turns your birdhouse and backyard into an entertainment center. The Hawk Eye is a color cam, with infrared night vision, built in microphone, and a weather shield so it can be used inside and out. Comes fully wired with 100' RCA (audio-, video-in) cable. Although the image is color, be aware that colors inside a birdhouse will be muted. (Bird house not included) |
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| The Barred Owl is a medium-sized grey-brown Owl streaked with white horizontal barring on the chest and vertical barring on the belly. They are round-headed with a whitish/brown facial disk with dark brown trim. The eyes are brown, and the beak is yellow and almost covered by feathers. They have a long tail. There is no difference in plumage between males and the larger females. The Barred Owl is widespread in North America, they occur across most of the eastern half of the continent from Florida northward to southern Canada; they are also spreading westward in the north of their range, and already occur in Washington State. (Some reports have them as far south as North California). Their spread westward is causing concern as they may compete with the endangered Spotted Owl. Northern populations may be partially migratory depending on food resources. The Barred Owl is a highly vocal Owl giving a loud and resounding "hoo, hoo, too-HOO; hoo, hoo, too-HOO, ooo" which is often phrased as "Who, cooks, for-you? Who, cooks, for-you, all?" - The last syllable drops off noticeably. Like some other Owl species, they will call in the daytime as well as at night. The calls are often heard in a series of eight, then silence, when the Owl listens for a reply from other Owls. Other calls include "hoo-hoo, hoo-WAAAHH" and "hoo-WAAAHHH" used in courtship. Mates will duet, but the male's voice is deeper and mellower. Many other vocalisations are made which range from a short yelp or bark to a frenzied and raucous monkey-like squall. A very opportunistic hunter, a Barred Owl can sometimes be seen hunting before dark. This typically occurs during the nesting season or on dark and cloudy days. A Barred Owl will use a perch, from where it dives upon its prey - meadow voles are its main prey, followed by shrews and deer mice. Other mammals include rats, squirrels, young rabbits, bats, moles, opossums, mink, and weasels. Birds are taken occasionally, including woodpeckers, grouse, quail, jays, blackbirds, and pigeons. They also eats small fish, turtles, frogs, snakes, lizards, crayfish, scorpions, beetles, crickets, and grasshoppers. Birds are taken as they settle into nocturnal roosts, because they cannot catch birds on the wing. They will also swoop down to the water's edge to catch frogs, other amphibians, and occasionally fish. Barred Owls are attracted to campfires and lights where they forage for large insects. Prey is usually devoured on the spot. Larger prey is carried to a feeding perch and torn apart before eating. |
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