Barred Owl: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Owls and Night Birds · day 2 of 7

Five facts

1. People remember its eight-hoot call with the phrase "Who cooks for you?". That call earned it the nickname old eight-hooter.
2. Its wing feathers are soft with comb-like edges, which makes its flight almost silent when it hunts.
3. Barred owls usually stay with the same partner for life. Courting pairs often sing together in duets.
4. Young owls exploring their tree often tumble to the ground. They climb back up with their feet and beak, flapping their wings.
5. These owls can live a long time. One wild barred owl in Minnesota reached 24 years and 1 month.

The quiz

1. What phrase helps people remember the barred owl's call?

• Who cooks for you (correct)
• Where is my hat
• Tea for two
• Good night, sleep tight

Its hoots are remembered with the phrase "Who cooks for you?".

2. What makes a barred owl's flight almost silent?

• It flies only when it is windy
• Soft, comb-edged wing feathers (correct)
• It glides without ever flapping
• It holds its breath

Soft feathers with a comb-like shape make its hunting flight silent.

3. How long do barred owl pairs usually stay together?

• One night
• One week
• For life (correct)
• One month

Barred owls tend to pair for life.

4. What does a young barred owl do if it falls from its tree?

• Digs a burrow in the ground
• Waits for its parents to carry it
• Swims to a new tree
• Climbs back up with its feet and beak (correct)

Fledglings scramble back up with feet and beak while flapping.

5. How old was the record wild barred owl from Minnesota?

• 2 years
• 24 years and 1 month (correct)
• 6 months
• 70 years

A wild barred owl in Minnesota lived 24 years and 1 month.

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