News & Observer | newsobserver.com | Scapes: 2006

December 2, 2006 Staff photo by John Rottet
A barred owl takes up residence in the woods of northern Durham County for a few hours on a recent morning, content to rest and sleep until midmorning. The barred owl (Strix varia) is a medium-sized gray-brown owl streaked with white horizontal barring on the chest and vertical barring on the belly. There is no difference in plumage between males and the larger females. It has also been known as northern barred owl, swamp owl, striped owl, hoot owl, eight hooter, round-headed owl, wood owl, rain owl and le chat-huant du nord (French for ‘the hooting cat of the north’). It is also mistakenly known as a bard owl. The barred owl is a highly vocal owl giving a loud and resounding ‘hoo, hoo, too-HOO; hoo, hoo, too-HOO, ooo,’ 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. For more info about barred and other owls and to hear their calls, go to www.owlpages.com.
About This Project


John Rottet
In "Scapes" photojournalist John Rottet looks at the places where we live, work and play. He will explore the beauty of nature, the elegance of architecture and the details of the surroundings that make our community unique.

More photos: 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 through August | 2007

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