Barred Owl (Northern Barred Owl, Hoot Owl)

A medium-to-large owl with dark brown eyes and a rounded head lacking ear tufts, known for its distinctive loud hooting calls and stealthy nocturnal hunting habits

Distinctive alternating dark brown and grayish-white horizontal bars across the entire vane, providing excellent woodland camouflage

Pennaceous along the main vane with characteristic velvety-soft, plumulaceous modifications on the edges and barbicels designed for silent flight

Exceptionally soft, velvety, and matte texture with specialized fringe on the leading edge to eliminate aerodynamic noise

Bold horizontal brown and white barring across a broad, velvety-soft feather designed for silent flight

Mature dense deciduous and mixed forests, often near swamps, rivers, or other bodies of water

Resident throughout eastern and central North America, expanding into the Pacific Northwest and parts of Canada

Apex nocturnal predator regulating populations of small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles in forest ecosystems

Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis) and Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus), distinguished by subtler spotting or larger, stiffer feather structures

Barred owls have increasingly expanded their range westward and are known to hybridize with the threatened Spotted Owl in western forests

Good condition with intact barbs and minimal fraying at the base, showing natural coloration without severe fading