| Barred Owls | |
| |
| Names | |
| Common Name: | Barred Owls |
| Scientific Name: | Strix varia |
| Appearance | |
| Pale gray with gray-brown bars and stripes with flat, round faces, longer tail feathers, and dark brown eyes. | |
| Behavior | |
| Barred Owls are rather rare compared to other species. | |
Barred Owls are owls with flat faces and gray-brown barrings on their chest. It is a common owl native to eastern North America.
Information[]
Description[]
Barred Owls range in size from 16 to 25 in (40 to 63 cm). Their wingspan is 38-49 in (96-125 cm). They weigh 1.1-2.3 lb (500-1050 g). Females are larger. Considered subdued in color compared to other owls, it's mostly brown or greyish-brown, and scalloped with white bars. They are known to be the "ecological twin" of a Red-Shouldered Hawk.
Ecology[]
Barred Owls tend to be found in deep old growth forests, be they deciduous, mixed, or occasionally coniferous. They can also be found in semi-open wooded areas, wooded swamps, and woodlands near waterways. While their range is the eastern half of North America, they are spreading westward, which causes them to compete with Spotted Owls. They are also called Hoot Owls or "Eight Hooter" because of their distinct hoot, which is a loud "hoo, hoo, too-HOO; hoo, hoo, too-HOO, ooo".
Diet[]
Barred Owls are nocturnal, opportunistic feeders. While they primarily eat small terrestrial mammals, they will also take birds, reptiles, and invertebrates. They are attracted to fires and lights where they forage for insects. They will even venture into water for fish and amphibians. Much like the larger Great Gray Owl, they have been seen snow-plunging for voles. Prey is devoured on the spot. Their greatest natural enemy is the Great Horned Owl, followed by various small carnivorous mammals, and other raptors. Barred Owls in turn have been seen eating smaller raptor species.
Reproduction[]
They nest in cavities and abandoned nests. Courtship begins in February, with the male displaying. 2-4 eggs are laid, incubation is 28-33 days, and fledging begins after 35-40 days.
Significant Barred Owls[]
History[]
The Capture[]
When serving as a broody for the St. Aegolius Eggorium, the egg Soren was nesting on began to hatch and two Barred Owls came instantly over in answer to the hatching alert. Before Soren's appalled eyes, the pair cracked the rocking egg and dumped the baby Barn Owl out of it, emotionlessly calling her 401-2 and noting how they were into the 'four hundred sequence with the Barn Owls', to Soren's fury.
The Journey[]
When The Band arrive in The Beaks, they enter a dark cave where a dying Barred Owl lies. The Band asks if St. Aggies had done this to him, but the Rouge Smith only replies with, "You only wish!" The Smith then dies, so The Band burns his body and returns on their journey.
While Soren was comforting Primrose, Elsie came by asking if anyone would like some milkberry tea. Later, she worked alongside Matron caring for and feeding the owlets recovered from The Great Downing.
The Shattering[]
A Barred Owl named Woody succeeded the late Strix Struma as the navigation ryb.
The Burning[]
Fenton was the steward of the parliament. The parliament asked him to call in a nest-maid snake named Audrey.
Quentin was in charge of a weapons cache near the St. Aegolius Canyons. He fitted The Band when they arrived with their weapons as well as Bubo. He requests Soren wears Ezylryb's old battle claws.
The First Collier[]
When Grank stops at a grog tree, Maisy, who was very tipsy, flirts with him, falls over, and seems to fall asleep.
Grank heads to Elsemere Island, but the Glauxian Sisters are under the spell of the hagsfiends, the Nacht Ga'. An elderly Barred Owl asks if he needs help, and Grank notes her voice sounds mechanical, as opposed to the usual low melodious tones of a Barred Owl.
Exile[]
Winifred, the Chief Librarian at the Great Ga'Hoole Tree, is said to have arthritis, so Otulissa takes her place as Chief Librarian.
As Otulissa was thinking in her garden, Glynnis asked if she'd like some milkberry tea.
A Barred Owl tried to keep Cory from seeing Coryn.
The War of the Ember[]
Quentin is again in charge of a weapons cache. During the battle, he is attacked, causing him to be critically injured. He instructed a wolf named Patches, who was healing his wounds, to get as of his pack and lick ice pieces to a glow. This way the ice could dazzle the enemies when the sun rose and they attempted to attack. Coryn was also nearby, later using this tactic to great effectiveness, enemy owls dropping dazzled and confused. Quentin then gasps as a trickle of blood runs from his head. Quentin then dies.
The Rise of a Legend[]
When Lyze hatched, the owls present at his hatching including a Barred Owl couple from 'across the way', who encourage the young Whiskered Screech to hatch out a soldier like his famous parents, only to be horrified by the arrival of Hanja, who's presence they believed brought bad luck. The couple, along with the rest, dissolved into mourning after hearing word of the death of Edvard.
In an unexpected attack on Lyze's neighborhood launched by Bylyric's followers, who are armed with fire claws loaded with pilfered coals. Swooping into the grove chanting their leader's name, the Ice Talons were met with resistance from the community and during the battle, Lyze was ambushed from behind by a Barred Owl commando who is wielding fire claws. Lyze however, is able to escape to fly to his friends Thora and Moss's aid, leaving the fate of the Barred unknown, though they were most likely either slain or retreated.
Lyze mentions Commander Optimus Strix Varia was the regimental commander of the Academy.
Trivia[]
- Their species name varia means "diverse", so called because of how widespread they are throughout North America.
- Because of their westward expansion, their overlapping with the Spotted Owl has produced hybrids, usually called the "Sparred Owl" (male Spotted Owl and female Barred Owl).
Gallery[]
