barred owl

American  

noun

1. a large owl, Strix varia, of eastern North America, having its breast barred and abdomen streaked with dark brown.

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Etymology

Origin of barred owl

An Americanism dating back to 1805–15

Example Sentences

Tom Wheeler, executive director of the Environmental Protection Information Center, which supports reducing the barred owl population, called the specter of the Congressional Review Act “very scary.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2025

Tom Wheeler, executive director of the Environmental Protection Information Center, which supports tamping down the barred owl population, said it wouldn’t just be the federal government footing the bill.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2025

Sometimes we hear a barred owl in the tree.

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2024

Federal officials say that such drastic action is necessary because the barred owl has been encroaching on the territory of the spotted owl for half a century.

From New York Times • May 6, 2024

No migrating eagle passed overhead; no barred owl saw her.

From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George