Strix
Strix is a Barred Owl (Strix varia). He was hit by a car in Charlotte in October of 2010. The collision resulted in fractures of bones in both wings and the right leg. Surgery and physical therapy have enabled him to have limited flight capability, but the fracture of the right ulna was too close to the joint. This causes inability to fully extend the wing and instability at the joint. He joined us in May 2012.
Barred Owl (Strix varia) Facts
Barred Owls are fairly large owls with broad wings and short tails. They do not have ear-like tufts like screech owls and great horned owls. They have large eyes, and their coloration gives them great camouflage in wooded areas.
Size
Length: 40-63 cm (16-25 in.)
Wing span: 96-125 cm (38-50 in.)
Weight: 500-1050 g (17.5-37 oz.) average male: 617 g., female: 779 g.
Habitat
Most any wooded area, including backyards.
Diet
Rodents and other small mammals are the mainstays of their diet, but they will take birds, reptiles, insects, and even fish if given the opportunity.
Call
They have a variety of calls, but most common is a 9 note barking that sounds like “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?”
Nesting
Barred owls are cavity nesters (including chimneys). 2-4 white eggs hatch in 28-33 days
Life expectancy
In the wild: up to 10 years (one known to be 14 years)
In captivity: up to 23 years.