barred owl

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of barred owl¹

An Americanism dating back to 1805–15

Example Sentences

Their signals were arranged—in the woods the barred-owl cry, by the water the loon; and they parted.

From Project Gutenberg

To get the true effect of a barred owl's hooting, one wants to find the home of a pair in an ancient gum-swamp.

From Project Gutenberg

If it had been the barred owl, the third note would have been doubled and the last note would have had a drop in its cadence.

From Project Gutenberg

A very similar but slightly paler variety than the Barred Owl, and with the toes bare, as in alleni.

From Project Gutenberg

The facial disc is very large, and the eyes are small and yellow, while those of the Barred Owl are large and blue black.

From Project Gutenberg