Barred Owl Fledglings

Barred Owl Fledglings

Barred owls are remarkably versatile, thriving in diverse habitats including forests, wetlands, and suburban areas. Their adaptability and wide distribution have enabled them to become a resilient and successful species.

Barred owls have longer lifespans than many other bird species, usually living 10 to 15 years in the wild. They form lifelong mating pairs. The female incubates a clutch of 2-4 eggs for around 30 days until they hatch. Both parents participate in feeding and caring for the young, who leave the nest as fully feathered fledglings but remain dependent on their parents for food and protection for several months.

Originally found in the eastern U.S., barred owls have extended their range westward, reaching across Canada and south into the Pacific Northwest. This expansion has led to competition with other native owls, particularly the threatened northern spotted owl. Barred owls outcompete spotted owls for resources such as nesting sites and prey due to their larger size and aggressive nature. This competition poses a significant threat to the survival of the spotted owl, causing declines in the populations where the two species coexist. To prevent the potential extinction of the spotted owl, U.S Fish and Wildlife recently announced a plan to cull an estimated 450,000 barred owls over the next 30 years across Washington, Oregon and Northern California.