Often when two owls sport similar shades and are of close sizes, it can be difficult to tell them apart. But when it comes to barred owl and barn owl, that isn’t the case.
Once you realize the differences, you would understand that the only two things that really make them similar is that they are both owls and the fact that their names start with a “B”.
Barred Owl Vs Barn Owl
While you are likely to recognize both these birds as owls, there are significant differences between them in appearance and behavior.
It’s difficult to mistake one for the other, but exploring their differences is important in understanding the two owl families.
Physical Appearance And Flight
You can easily tell these two bird species apart by their looks.
A barred owl (native to eastern North America) is a larger and stockier bird. It typically has a round face and very dark eyes.
Their plumage is mottled brown and white, featuring vertical brown bars on a white background. They measure about 16 to 25 inches in length with a wingspan of 38 to 49 inches.
On the other hand, the barn owl is medium sized, with a heart shaped face and longer legs.
The most striking difference is in their plumage—this owl exhibits predominantly white and buff plumage with gray upper parts.
Male barn owls are typically paler than their female counterparts. They have long, rounded wings and a short tail, measuring about 13 to 15 inches in length with a wingspan of 31 to 37 inches.
When it comes to their flight patterns, the noticeable differences reflect their hunting and habitat preferences.
A barred owl typically shows a flight pattern of slow, steady wing beats interspersed with the occasional glide.
They also have higher wing loading. These two features allow the barred owl to hunt from perches. They also fly quieter than barn owls.
Compare that with the typical flight of a barn owl whereby they alternate between short flaps and glides with low wing–loading.
This facilitates more active flight, which they need to maneuver fields and marshes.
Calls
Barred owls have a very distinctive hooting vocalization that functions similar to a song.
The 8-9 notes travel well through the woods, and many people describe the sound as “who cooks for you?” The long and drawn-out call is very easy to recognize once you hear it.
Barred owls often use their hoots to communicate with each other, defend their territory, or even to attract mates.
The barn owl, however, doesn’t hoot at all. Instead, it emits a harsh screeching sound as well as rasping calls.
Generally, people find the barn owl’s vocalizations very ghostly. Their calls are often used for communication, courtship, and defense.
Unlike the barred owl’s melodious hoot, the barn owl’s calls are more abrupt and unsettling.
Habitat
These two birds also have very different habitat preferences. As you can guess from the name, barn owls are often found in places that humans reside. They prefer open spaces such as marshes and grasslands.
With time, they adapted to live in the open spaces of man-made agricultural lands as well. In fact, they get their name from the fact that they tend to use barns and buildings for nesting. This adaptation is likely a survival mechanism.
Barred owls don’t like living in open spaces. Instead, they prefer mixed woodlands near water sources.
The dense forests provide them with an abundance of perches to hunt from and nest in.
Nests And Roosts
Both barred owls and barn owls are cavity nesters, meaning they rely on pre-existing holes in trees or structures for their nesting sites.
However, their preferences for nest locations and the types of cavities they utilize differ significantly.
Barred owls typically choose their nesting sites in mature forests, often selecting cavities in large, old-growth trees.
These cavities are usually natural hollows formed over time due to decay or woodpecker activity.
The owls may also utilize abandoned nests of other birds, such as hawks or crows. The location of their nests is often in a secluded area, providing protection from predators and disturbances.
Barn owls, on the other hand, are more adaptable in their choice of nesting sites. They often utilize abandoned barns, silos, or other man-made structures that provide suitable cavities.
These structures offer protection from the elements and predators, and they often have ample space for the owls to raise their young.
In natural environments, barn owls may also nest in tree cavities, but these are less common compared to their preference for human-made structures.
Hunting
We can clearly understand the habitat preferences of the barn owl and the barred owl if we take a look at their hunting techniques.
The barn owl typically covers great distances by flying low over the open spaces they prefer to hunt in.
Their exceptional hearing allows them to detect the slightest rustle or squeak of prey hidden in the darkness.
Once they’ve pinpointed their target, they swoop down silently, their soft feathers muffling the sound of their approach.
Their sharp talons and powerful grip ensure a quick and efficient capture.
Unlike many other owls, barn owls often hunt during the day, especially in areas with low prey density.
Barred owls, on the other hand, are more adapted to hunting in forested environments.
Their hunting methods are less reliant on keen hearing and more on stealth and agility. They often perch on a high branch, silently observing their surroundings.
When they spot prey, they launch themselves into a silent glide or a rapid descent, using their sharp claws to snatch their quarry from the ground or from the air.
Unlike barn owls, barred owls are primarily nocturnal hunters, taking advantage of the cover of darkness to ambush their prey.
Final Thoughts
Both the barred owl and the barn owl are fascinating creatures to explore and study.
They’ve adapted greatly to suit their preferred environments, and studying these two owls is a great way to begin learning about the species as a whole.
Their differences show us just how diverse owls can be, and their incredible ability to survive in vastly different environments.
