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Are There Barred Owls in Illinois?

Yes, Barred Owls are common throughout Illinois year-round. They live in forests from north to the Mississippi River bottomlands. These large owls thrive in forested areas despite Illinois's agricultural landscape. You can find them in state parks and wildlife refuges. Their call sounds like 'who cooks for you, who cooks for you all.'

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By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 21, 2026.

Barred Owl photographed in Illinois

Barred Owl · Trevor Edmonson CC BY

Barred Owl photographed in Illinois

Barred Owl · Honoria CC BY

Barred Owl photographed in Illinois

Barred Owl · Andrea Wallace CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Found in Illinois
35,564
GBIF records
6
birding hotspots

Yes, barred owls are in Illinois. Next you'll want:

Yes, Barred Owls are common throughout Illinois year-round. They live in forests from north to the Mississippi River bottomlands. These large owls thrive in forested areas despite Illinois's agricultural landscape. You can find them in state parks and wildlife refuges. Their call sounds like 'who cooks for you, who cooks for you all.'

Where Barred Owls Are Found in Illinois

Barred Owls are distributed across Illinois wherever suitable forest habitat exists. Northern Illinois, particularly in the region near the Wisconsin border, supports healthy populations in woodlands and park systems. Central Illinois has populations in remaining oak-hickory forests and in the Shawnee and Cache River wetland forests. Southern Illinois harbors the most abundant Barred Owl populations, particularly in the floodplain forests along the Ohio River and the Mississippi River bottoms. The extensive bottomland hardwood forests along the Mississippi River in western Illinois provide prime habitat. State Parks like Pere Marquette, Johnson-Saline, and Pyramid State Park all host breeding populations. Even in areas of intensive agriculture, Barred Owls can be found in wooded ravines, stream corridors, and remnant forest patches. They are adaptable to fragmented habitat as long as sufficient old-growth trees remain for shelter and nesting. Seethe Barred Owl guide for Illinoisfor more.

Season and Timing in Illinois

Barred Owls are permanent residents of Illinois and do not migrate to warmer regions in winter. They remain in their territories throughout the year, defending the same forest patches season after season. The breeding season begins in late winter, with courtship activity starting around December and January. Pairs establish nest sites in tree cavities or in dense foliage by late winter. Eggs are laid by February and March, and incubation lasts about a month. Young owls fledge by late May and June. By late summer and fall, the young owls become independent and disperse from parental territories. Fall and winter months are the best times to hear Barred Owls calling, particularly during cool, clear evenings. Their vocalizations are most frequent from November through March as they defend territory and establish pair bonds for the upcoming breeding season. Seethe Illinois wildlife guidefor more.

How to Identify a Barred Owl

Barred Owls are large owls, measuring 16 to 25 inches in length with wingspans up to 45 inches. Their most distinctive field mark is the dark barring pattern across their brown-gray chest and underparts, which gives them their common name. Their round head lacks prominent ear tufts, unlike Great Horned Owls. The facial disk is pale and rounded, with large dark brown eyes that seem to stare directly forward. Both males and females look identical in plumage, though females are slightly larger than males. Their most famous vocalization is a loud hooting series that sounds like 'who cooks for you, who cooks for you all,' followed by a series of cackling and barking calls. They also produce monkey-like screams and various other hoots. Their size and appearance make them unmistakable when seen clearly, though their nocturnal habits mean most people encounter them by sound rather than by sight. Seethe national wildlife hubfor more.

Where Sightings Concentrate in Illinois

Barred Owls are most reliably found in Illinois's largest forest complexes and protected areas. The Mississippi River bottomlands in western Illinois, including the region around Horseshoe Lake State Park, hold many owls that hunt over water and surrounding swamps. The Cache River area in southern Illinois is an excellent location for sightings, with cypress swamps and bottomland hardwoods providing prime habitat. Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois supports large populations, particularly in river bottom and ravine forests. Pere Marquette State Park near the Illinois River has established populations. Wooded state parks and nature preserves throughout Illinois provide sightings. Private forests with old oak and hickory trees are equally good if they contain sufficient density and size. Swamp edges, stream corridors, and ravines are particularly productive. Even in central Illinois, where forests are fragmented, Barred Owls occupy wooded parks and protected riparian areas along the Illinois River and its tributaries.

Typical Behavior and Diet

Barred Owls are versatile hunters with a broad diet adapted to Illinois forests. They hunt small mammals like mice, voles, and rats as their primary food source. Flying squirrels are hunted at night, and ground squirrels during the day. Shrews, moles, and occasional young rabbits are taken. In Illinois's wetland habitats, frogs and crayfish comprise a significant portion of their diet. They occasionally hunt birds, particularly at night. Barred Owls are ambush predators that perch quietly and listen for prey movement, then dive down to snatch victims. Unlike many owls, they will hunt during daylight hours if prey is scarce. They are territorial and aggressive birds that defend their forest territories year-round through calling and confrontation displays. Pairs coordinate with each other using synchronized hooting sessions, particularly during breeding season. Their willingness to hunt in various conditions and their adaptability to different forest types have made them increasingly successful in Illinois.

Safety and Coexistence in Illinois

Barred Owls are protected under federal law and cannot be legally harmed in Illinois. They are wild animals that prefer to avoid humans and pose minimal risk to people. If you encounter a Barred Owl, maintain a safe distance and allow the bird to move away undisturbed. Barred Owls defending nests can be aggressive and may dive-bomb intruders who approach too closely, but serious human injuries are extremely rare. Their primary threat to humans comes only if people attempt to trap, capture, or corner them. Pet owners should supervise small pets during evening and night hours, as Barred Owls may view very small animals as potential prey. Reducing outdoor lighting minimizes disorientation of nocturnal owls in residential areas. If you find an injured Barred Owl in Illinois, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator or the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Overall, Barred Owls are beneficial predators that help control rodent and other small animal populations.

Species Commonly Confused with Barred Owls

The Great Horned Owl is Illinois's most common large owl but is easily distinguished by its prominent ear tufts, orange-yellow facial disk, and different call. Barn Owls are pale, heart-faced owls that hunt grasslands rather than forests. Screech-Owls are much smaller than Barred Owls, barely larger than songbirds. Long-eared Owls are rare in Illinois and prefer open country. Short-eared Owls hunt grasslands during daylight and have yellow eyes. Calls from pileated woodpeckers are sometimes confused with Barred Owl vocalizations by inexperienced listeners, but the woodpecker drumming is rapid and mechanical while the owl's call is fluid and varied. The distinctive 'who cooks for you' call is unique to Barred Owls and helps confirm identification when heard. Field guides and online resources can help distinguish these species. Learning Barred Owl vocalizations is the easiest way to confirm their presence in Illinois forests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are Barred Owls dangerous to people or pets? A: Barred Owls are wild birds that generally avoid humans. Attacks are extremely rare. They pose minimal risk unless approached during nesting season, and they rarely attack pets except possibly very small animals. Q: Why do Barred Owls make noise at night? A: They call to establish and defend territory, to find mates, and to coordinate with their partners. Nighttime calling is most frequent during breeding season and in fall. Q: How can I encourage Barred Owls on my property? A: Maintain large, mature trees and avoid using pesticides. Keeping wooded areas provides habitat and improves hunting conditions for small prey. Q: What is a Barred Owl's typical lifespan? A: Wild Barred Owls typically live 8 to 10 years, though some individuals may exceed this in protected habitats. Learn more about Illinoiswildlifeor explore theIllinois Barred Owl guidefor additional information.

Plan your barred owl sighting in Illinois

35,564 verified barred owl records have been logged in Illinois, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.

Where to look in Illinois

Birding hotspots via eBird (Cornell Lab).

Recent barred owl sightings

  • Travis and Sara DeNeal home · 2026-07-20 22:07 · 1 seen
  • Silver Creek Preserve · 2026-07-20 17:41 · 3 seen
  • Lakewood FP--Ivanhoe Rd. (SW) · 2026-07-20 07:32 · 1 seen
  • Lake Storey Park, Galesburg · 2026-07-19 07:30
  • 7398 Hickory Ridge Rd, Pomona, IL · 2026-07-19 06:04 · 1 seen

Planning a trip to see barred owl? Find places to stay near Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail on Booking.com.

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