Barred Owl (Strix varia)
Barred owl is one of the three Wisconsin's year-round owls, meaning they do not migrate. They don't mind cold weather and freezing temperatures as their bodies are designed to stay warm. Their down feathers are soft, located close to their bodies and are great insulators for all owls. They also have specialized body feathers with extra extensions that trap even more heat in when it gets cold outside. Also, owls' feet are covered with feathers that reach all the way to the tips of their toes!
Barred owls hunt primarily by sound and have asymmetrical ear openings that allow them to pinpoint very faint sounds, which guide them to their prey even under the layers of snow.
The other two Wisconsin year-round owls are Great Horned and Screech Owls.
Barred Owl (Strix varia)
Barred owl is one of the three Wisconsin's year-round owls, meaning they do not migrate. They don't mind cold weather and freezing temperatures as their bodies are designed to stay warm. Their down feathers are soft, located close to their bodies and are great insulators for all owls. They also have specialized body feathers with extra extensions that trap even more heat in when it gets cold outside. Also, owls' feet are covered with feathers that reach all the way to the tips of their toes!
Barred owls hunt primarily by sound and have asymmetrical ear openings that allow them to pinpoint very faint sounds, which guide them to their prey even under the layers of snow.
The other two Wisconsin year-round owls are Great Horned and Screech Owls.