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The title of the information I have researched for this blog post is Barred Owl – Strix varia, by Owl Pages, the author. It’s actually a web page but holds just as much information a typical book would hold, minus the dust and worms. I chose to read about Barred Owls because owls fascinate me in many perspectives; the goddess Athena is symbolized by these wise owls, and they are also featured as messengers in Hogwarts, mentioned in the Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling, I reread numerously and enjoy.  I daresay this web page can be described as an article because it is held on the internet, and fundamentally contains texts on these owls’ description, size, voice, diet and skills of hunting, mating, its death, and habitat.  

I learned that these owls are not short and stout, but in size matter are medium and with feathers that are grayish brown; white highlights their chest and stomach. The circular shape of their face is often a light brown shade. In their yellow beaks they catch their prey with a swooping dive; their long tail trailing behind them.

Barred Owls clutch their prey of insects, rodents, fish, amphibians, and smaller birds in their sharp talons, satisfied with almost every taste and being introverts to picky eaters. They’re allured towards hunting grounds with flamboyantly flashing flicks of fire and lights, knowing that a majority of insects are attracted to bright blazes; dining right away once the animal is caught with smaller prey. With larger prey, they bring it onto an outstretched branch to perch on and rip apart contently into a gruesome affect of nature and its inhabitants.  

They live for approximately twenty-three years in captivity, compared to the shorter lifespan of ten in the wilderness, living in the continent of North America and the nearby Canada. Barred Owls are migrating west, and this is an issue for the Spotted Owls, Strix occidentalis, because of limited food supply in that area.

Barred Owls are called Hoot Owls as their nickname because of their high vocal cords. Their hoot sounds authentic, hence their nickname, but is heard like, "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?" A male’s voice sounds smoother and low, and that is basically the only clue to tell the difference between a female and male Barred Owl.

These owls are those inquiring, nosy birds that want to know who cooks for you and us, attacking your beloved pet vole and appearing like brown fuzz balls fighting off their foe, the Great Horned Owl at the same time. I can connect this learning segment with the book entitled Hoot, with an owl, no qualms, on the cover, and that must’ve been a Barred Owl itching madly to ask you this: Who cooks for you? Who cooks for us? I’d love to know in the commentary.

Vocabulary

• talons - the claws of an owl at the end of their toes
• captivity - an animal kept indoors or caged
  
• migrating - to move from one place to another

Videos

•  Barred Owl Call @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fppKGJD3Y6c
•  Owls Hunting @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yps7pgq1TAk