Lopsided Ear Holes
Bart is a barred owl (scientific name Strix varia), not to be confused with the similar sounding name barn owl (Tyto alba). The circular ring of feathers around his eyes is called a facial disc, which helps direct sound into his ear openings. Since the ears are in different spots on his head, sound arrives at one ear before the other. He knows which direction the sound came from and whether it was high in the trees or close to the ground, and he can move his head to get a precise location. This arrangement of ears is called asymmetrical and it helps him locate prey in the dark.
Asymmetrical ears are great for pinpointing prey, but they make it impossible to find a good-fitting pair of headphones.
When you look, you see.
Barred owls range across a large portion of North America, so your chances of seeing one are pretty good. Hopefully you’ve got some tall trees near your house or in a nearby park, or maybe you can take a trip to the forest. It also helps if there is some water nearby.
You might think you need to be out at night to see a barred owl, but they are quite active even at dawn and dusk. You may have heard of the word “nocturnal” to describe animals that are active at night, but the word used to describe animals that are most active at dawn and dusk is “crepuscular.” Barred owls can also be very active during the day when they are raising little ones, and animals that are active during the day are usually referred to as “diurnal.”
So, since the barred owl is active throughout the day and night at times and is pretty widespread, you have a great chance to see one, if you keep looking up. Just remember, she’ll hear you with her amazing ears before you see her!
Heard there was more to hear about barred owls? You heard it here!
For a few cool “virtual” options to see and learn more about barred owls, check out the links below.
Kids, remember to ask a parent, teacher, or librarian for help whenever you are looking for books or using the Internet. I always try to make sure to share kid-friendly books and resources, but websites are changing all the time, so always check with an adult first.
- This photo from All About Birds isn’t an actual snapshot of Bart the barred owl meeting Riley the green tree frog, but it will give you a pretty good idea of Riley’s predicament.
- Since you are already visiting Cornell University’s All About Birds site, you should probably check out their live camera feed from a barred owl nest. The camera is mounted on an owl box in the backyard of Jim Carpenter, the CEO of Wild Birds Unlimited, and it even has infrared light so you can check on the owls in the evening. Make sure you choose the “2nd Cam” option as well and you can watch both the inside and the outside of the nest to see the owlets’ mom and dad bringing goodies to the young ones, if it is the right time of year. Warning! Visiting this link may result in an overload of cuteness and the loss of hours and hours of time, especially if the owlets are there. I’m sorry and you’re welcome. 😁
- Read a short description provided by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources of the barred owl, where it lives, and what it likes to eat. http://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/mrri/acechar/speciesgallery/Birds/BarredOwl/index.html