A rainforest trail in the Pacific Northwest envelopes one in pillars of evergreen trees, Sitka Spruce, Red Cedar, Douglas-fir centuries old; massive trunks stretching skyward where branches join together forming a lush overhead cathedral. Discarded needles and moss carpet the forest floor, a moist living mass weaving over and around old stumps, climbing skyward up tall sentinels, painting the forest in vibrant shades of green. Shadows flickered and light shards cast intricate patterns with every step, giving our Spring outing a sense of mystery for Chris, Rosie and I, as forest life went about their business foraging throughout the understory, under fallen logs, or high in the canopy.

The air was cool and damp, and carried an earthy scent of decaying vegetation and fresh growth, teasing our senses. Bird songs, the gentle rustle of leaves, and the sounds of the Marble River serenaded us, a natural pleasing symphony echoing into our hearts. Every sense was engaged and inspired; sight, sound, touch, and smell.

The trail invited us to slow down, to absorb the tranquility, to become part of the Wild beauty… to accept the rewards of visiting this Vancouver Island sanctuary, to enjoy an immersion into natural beauty. Then, as the afternoon sunlight faded, the call of an owl broke through the air. A unique sound long woven into Canada’s folklore as a good omen; a messenger from the Wild Kingdom heralding change, fortune, wisdom, and caution. We scanned a group of riverside alder trees, and located the unmistakable silhouette of a Barred Owl perched motionless among silvered branches; watching us with deep, dark eyes.

The Barred Owl is a wonderful new presence in North America’s western forests, its distinctive haunting call and striking plumage marking it as an artistic creation of Nature and a subject of human fascination. They are most vocal during the breeding season, which typically occurs from late winter through early spring. The calls of these silent fliers is often described as “Who cooks for you… Who cooks for you”…. and frequently heard at dusk and during the night. They are thought to establish territories, or to attract a mate.

Originally found only in eastern North America, it was absolutely amazing to learn this owl is a newcomer to the Pacific Northwest! Their move out west is story of inspiring resilience and adaptation that has changed the rhythms of local Vancouver Island owl ecology. Barred Owls began their westward journey in the northern part of their range in the early 20th century, facilitated by expanding forests and human-altered landscapes. The first documented sightings of Barred Owls out west occurred in Northern BC in 1943, marking a significant shift of BC’s owl community. Populations were then described in southern BC in 1959. Southern Vancouver Island sightings began emerging around 1969 and expanded up island over the course of two decades! Imagine that eh! 

The Owl’s multifaceted adaptability to urban, rural, and wild environments ensured a strong foothold in these new territories.

Barred Owls were historically hemmed in to eastern locations by the Great Plain’s treeless expanses. However, human activity, tree planting, urban sprawl, and fire suppression created corridors for territorial expansion from grove to grove into the Pacific Northwest, previously the domain of the Spotted Owl and other native specialists.

Barred Owls are medium to large birds, measuring about 40–50 centimetres in length, with wingspans stretching up to 110 centimetres. Their brown and white patchwork feathers display horizontal bars across the chest and striking vertical belly streaks, seamlessly blending brown and white hues. Their expressive dark brown eyes and rounded facial disks give them a mysterious charm we can’t get enough of, while their feathered legs and yellow beaks complete a distinctive regal look. 

Notably, Barred Owls possess powerful talons, often reaching up to 2.5 centimetres in length, which they use to catch and grip prey with remarkable strength.

Barred Owls eat a wide variety of prey: small mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and even small fish and crustaceans. 

Their broad palate is key to their success, unlike other owl species that are more selective. They are capable of swallowing small prey, such as mice, whole. Once ingested, their digestive system separates edible tissue from indigestible parts like bones, fur, and feathers. 

These indigestible materials are fascinatingly compacted and later regurgitated as owl pellets. I have often searched for these oval-shaped masses that can often be found beneath their roosts. 

I’d carefully take apart these egg sized compact forms finding inside whole intact skeletons of their prey… simply amazing; and fascinating to inquisitive folk like myself. 

Avian scientists gain valuable insight into their lifestyle and diet from such pellets, establishing benchmarks to monitor health and vitality of local ecosystems. Incredible, eh!

Nocturnal, opportunistic, and non-selective hunters, Barred Owls roost in dense woods awaiting prey, but can also been seen hunting in daylight. Adaptability is a prime reason their populations have surged since arriving west…out-competing native Spotted Owls, which is of concern for some avian specialists who fear natural selection will cause a decline in Spotted Owls numbers. 

The Barred Owl’s choice in food and nesting locations overlap their cousins allowing them to thrive in environments specialist Spotted Owls falter! 

Scientists worry the Barred Owls natural expansion will eventually take over Spotted Owl territories. Some studies note they are now interbreeding. 

The name given to the new hybrid: “Sparred Owl” and feature plumage that is a mix of the vertical markings and grayer color of the Barred Owl and the spots and browner color of the Spotted Owl. The natural competition between species is the hallmark of constant change in the Wild Kingdom’s balance of nature that has been ongoing for eons.

Barred Owls are thought to mate for life, and nest in cavities or use abandoned nests of other birds or animals; hawks, squirrels, crow nests and more. They lay two to three white eggs. Incubation ranges from 28 to 33 days and is carried out by the female; the male brings her food. In the wild, Barred Owls live about 8–10 years, with some reaching up to 18 years, longevity dependent on predation, food, disease, and human threats. The largest threat now being human eradication to protect the range of the Spotted Owl. While Canada has a localized plan to protect the Spotted Owl habitat in defined small sanctuaries and has killed or relocated roughly 150-160 owls over the past 15 years, 

The United States on the other hand had recently finalized a much larger slaughter strategy. To disrupt natures natural self adjustments of owls the government had authorized the killing of up to 450,000 barred owls to protect the Spotted Owl over the next 30 years; across Washington, Oregon, and California. Will the slaughter have to continue indefinitely?

The Barred Owl we encountered was a marvel to see yet an ethical conundrum to some. Ultimately however, to Mother Nature they are an emblem of natural adaptation in a dynamically changing ecological landscape as a result of disruptive human activities. Their journey into the Pacific Northwest’s rainforests tells a story not only of biological expansion but of human instigated ecological upheaval. 

In the end, to see a Barred Owl is to witness a chapter in the long interplay between nature’s resilience to human impact.

To us the Barred Owl sighting this afternoon was a beautiful, haunting, and instructive encounter. As we made our way back to camp we reflected on the pleasures of the afternoon. The sights and sounds reminded us that every footprint traveled on a forest’s mossy trail is a step into a much larger story. 

The Wild Kingdom is a world of continuous change filled with legacies of what has been and what will be. We both hope the wonderful call of the Barred Owl will continue to echo through the forest unfettered, reminding us just how delicate, special, and dynamic these ecosystems truly are. With each visit, we gain a deeper respect for the balance and grandness of nature… and our humble place within it.

Safe travels,

Gord