Barred Owl
Barred Owl has surged: up 124% on the route-weighted index since 1968.
About the Barred Owl
The Barred Owl (Strix varia) is a North American member of the Owls (Strigidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the birds of prey.
- Size
- 5–27.5 in long (13–70 cm) — a nocturnal raptor (typical for the family)
- Habitat
- Open country, woodlands, cliffs and wetlands, hunting from the air or a high perch.
- Diet
- Live prey — small mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and large insects (carrion for vultures).
- Range
- Recorded on 1,797 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 41 states, most concentrated in the Southeastern Coastal Plain.
- Family
- Strigidae · Birds of prey
Notable Barred Owl TrendsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →
Barred Owl has surged in surveyed states: up 124% on the route-weighted index since 1968.
Barred Owl Population Forecast
If the recent trend holds, Barred Owl is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.17 (95% range 0.15–0.20). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±8.5%, with 80% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.
Where the Barred Owl Is Detected
BBS routes recording Barred Owl, sized by most recent count.
Barred Owl Population Trend by State
Barred Owl Population Trend by Region
Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.
Barred Owl Conservation Status
Our route-weighted index shows it up about 124% since 1968.
Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.