Barred Owl

Photo by Joe Carr – 2011JCIMG_4807

Common birds, so only significant sightings are logged, or when photos are taken. Observing locations are all in Victoria, BC, Canada unless otherwise noted.

The Cornell Lab: Barred Owls have a distinctive hooting call of 8–9 notes, described as “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?”


2024.01.01 6PM – 3100-block Somerset St. – A single bird was calling in the dark as we passed by a big tree it was likely perched in (near Finlayson Street). First call was a low guttural sound, subsequent calls were their normal hooting sound.

2022.02.22 7PM – 3000-block Jackson St. – An owl flew very low over the dogs and I while we were walking down the sidewalk in the dark. It then flew back into the small evergreen tree beside the sidewalk and resumed its perch.

2019.12.23 9:30AM to 2PM – Home – Single bird perched in the Balsam and Garry Oak trees in our back yard for several hours.

2019.12.23 10AM to 4PM – Home – Single bird perched in the Balsam and Garry Oak trees in our back yard for several hours. Tried hunting prey mid-afternoon without success.

2019.11.21 10:30 PM – Home – Two owls loudly calling to each other up at Summit Park

2019.11.21 7:45 AM – Home – Perched in a low branch of a tree in the front yard

2012.10.28 9:40:00 PM PDT – Home – Perched on the telephone cable across the street from the house, then moved into the Garry Oak tree on the boulevard.

2012.09.30 7:38:04 PM PDT – Home – Perched in a low branch of a tree in the front yard at dusk.

2012.07.01 8:05:03 PM PDT – Home – Perched in the Maple Tree in our front yard being tormented by Crows and Robins.

2011.08.19 3:41:07 PM PDT – Home – I was out on our front deck and looked up to see this owl perched in the crook of a low branch in an overhanging tree. It was less than 10m from me and seemed comfortable. It stayed in the same spot in the tree for over an hour, while small birds flew all around it. At one point a hummingbird flew right up to it face-to-face which startled the owl, but it remained perched.

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