Barred Owl, watercolor on 140lb paper. The barred owl (*Strix varia*) is a large, stocky owl native to North America, recognized by its soft, brown-and-white barred and streaked plumage that provides excellent camouflage among tree bark and dappled forest light. It has a rounded head with no ear tufts, a pale facial disk ringed with brown, and warm dark brown eyes — unusual among owls, which typically have yellow eyes. Its chest is horizontally barred in brown and white, while its belly is streaked vertically, a pattern that gives the species its name. Barred owls are birds of dense, mature forests, often near wetlands or streams, and are highly vocal, best known for their distinctive "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?" call that echoes through the woods, especially at night. They are medium-to-large in size, typically 17–20 inches tall with a wingspan of about 40–50 inches, and are fierce, opportunistic hunters, preying on small mammals, birds, frogs, and even crayfish.
