The Sparred Owl

Barred / Spotted Owl Hybrids

As the range of the Barred Owl Strix varia expanded to the north west of the United States of America, it overlapped that of the Spotted Owl Strix occidentalis. In some cases when the two species met, they hybridised, producing 'Sparred Owls'.

Female Sparred Owl, Northwest of Roseburg, Oregon USA. Photo contributed by Janice Reid, a member of the Wildlife Ecology Team of the US Forest Service.

Here is the call of the individual pictured above

Female Sparred Owl, Oregon USA. Photo © Kristian Skybak.

Call of a male Sparred Owl, Olympic National Park, Washington, USA © Keith Bagnall