Eastern US, expanding west
Barred Owl
Strix varia
Mature forests, swamps· 20 in / 51 cm
"A haunting Who-cooks-for-you, who-cooks-for-you-all from the deep woods at dusk."
The story
One of the few owls active in daylight. Pairs duet at twilight, calling back and forth in a language of hoots that can carry half a mile.
Conservation
Healthy, but their westward spread now threatens the endangered Spotted Owl.
One small thing you can do
Listen at dusk near old trees — and turn off floodlights at night to protect their hunting.