Watercolor portrait of Barred Owl (Strix varia)

Barred Owl

Strix varia
Year-round resident across its range Mature deciduous and mixed forests, ofte… Night Hunter Song

Learn to identify the Barred Owl by ear. Master the "who cooks for you" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?”

What the Barred Owl sounds like

Large, round-headed owl with mottled brown-and-white plumage. It lacks ear tufts and has soulful dark brown eyes set in a pale facial disc. Named for the horizontal brown bars on its chest and vertical brown streaks on its belly. Often perches quietly by day and flies silently through dense forest at night.

“who cooks for you”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A classic eight- or nine-note hooting call often rendered as "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?". This rhythmic series of deep hoots (with a notable pause before the final, drawn-out hoot) is the Barred Owl's territorial song. Pairs sometimes duet, overlapping or echoing each other's hoots in a haunting exchange. Often written as “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?”.
Don't confuse with:The Spotted Owl — spotted owl is similar but has white spots on chest/back instead of horizontal barring and is slightly smaller; its range overlaps in the northwest.

Lessons featuring the Barred Owl

Ready to test your ear? Practice identifying the Barred Owl's sounds in these interactive in-app lessons.

Night Shift: Who's Out There? lesson habitat
Night Shift: Who's Out There?
Tier 1 · Right Out the Door
Hoot School lesson habitat
Hoot School
Tier 8 · Edges & Echoes
Start Learning Free

Where you'll hear it

Mature deciduous and mixed forests, often in low-lying swamps or along rivers. Prefers extensive woodlands with large trees and dense canopy, frequently near water. Originally an eastern species, it has expanded into northwestern coniferous forests in recent decades.

Primarily nocturnal, calling and hunting mostly after dusk. Breeding season is late winter into spring, when pairs call in duets and nest in tree cavities or old nests. Young owls fledge in early summer and may disperse short distances in the fall. No long-distance seasonal movements occur for this sedentary owl.

Similar species

Spotted Owl

Spotted Owl is similar but has white spots on chest/back instead of horizontal barring and is slightly smaller; its range overlaps in the Northwest.

Barred Owl song FAQ

What does a Barred Owl sound like?
A classic eight- or nine-note hooting call often rendered as "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?". This rhythmic series of deep hoots (with a notable pause before the final, drawn-out hoot) is the Barred Owl's territorial song. Pairs sometimes duet, overlapping or echoing each other's hoots in a haunting exchange. Listen for the "who cooks for you" phrase.
How do I tell a Barred Owl from a Spotted Owl by sound?
Spotted Owl: Spotted Owl is similar but has white spots on chest/back instead of horizontal barring and is slightly smaller; its range overlaps in the Northwest.; Great Gray Owl is larger, gray with fine streaks and yellow eyes (versus brown eyes). Great Horned Owl has prominent ear tufts and yellow eyes, quite different head profile.; Barn Owl's pale, heart-shaped face and slimmer build differ completely. Barred Owl's combination of round tuftless head, dark eyes, and barred pattern is distinctive in its range..
When is the best time to hear a Barred Owl?
Primarily nocturnal, calling and hunting mostly after dusk. Breeding season is late winter into spring, when pairs call in duets and nest in tree cavities or old nests. Young owls fledge in early summer and may disperse short distances in the fall. No long-distance seasonal movements occur for this sedentary owl.