The Barred Owl, a captivating nocturnal predator, is known for its distinctive "who-cooks-for-you" call that echoes through mature forests[1][7]. With its round head, soulful brown eyes, and streaked plumage, this owl cuts a striking figure in the woodlands it calls home[6]. Despite its preference for old-growth forests, the Barred Owl has shown remarkable adaptability, expanding its range westward and even venturing into suburban areas with sufficient tree cover[4][7].
These owls are full of surprises. Did you know that a Barred Owl's feathers can turn pink if it consumes enough crayfish, much like a flamingo's hue comes from shrimp[7]? Or that young Barred Owls may stay with their parents for up to six months, an unusually long time for owl species[7]?
Perhaps most intriguingly, the Barred Owl's call may have played a role in American history. Some historians believe that Harriet Tubman, the famed conductor of the Underground Railroad, used the owl's distinctive hooting as a signal to guide escaped slaves to freedom[7]. From its hunting prowess to its potential historical significance, the Barred Owl continues to captivate both researchers and nature enthusiasts alike.
斑紋貓頭鷹是一種引人入勝的夜行掠食者，以其獨特的「誰-為-你-煮飯」叫聲聞名，這聲音在成熟的森林中迴盪。這種貓頭鷹擁有圓圓的頭、深邃的棕色眼睛和條紋斑駁的羽毛，在其棲息的林地中呈現出引人注目的身影。儘管偏好老齡林，斑紋貓頭鷹展現出驚人的適應能力，不僅向西擴展其活動範圍，甚至還冒險進入有足夠樹木覆蓋的郊區。
這些貓頭鷹充滿驚喜。你知道嗎？如果斑紋貓頭鷹吃足夠多的小龍蝦，它們的羽毛可能會變成粉紅色，就像火烈鳥的顏色來自蝦子一樣。或者，年輕的斑紋貓頭鷹可能會與父母一起生活長達六個月，這在貓頭鷹物種中是unusually長的時間。
也許最有趣的是，斑紋貓頭鷹的叫聲可能在美國歷史中扮演了一定角色。一些歷史學家認為，著名的地下鐵路指揮員哈莉特·塔布曼（Harriet Tubman）曾使用貓頭鷹獨特的鳴叫聲作為信號，引導逃跑的奴隸走向自由。從其捕獵技能到潛在的歷史意義，斑紋貓頭鷹持續吸引著研究人員和自然愛好者的關注。
Citations:
[1] https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/overview
[2] https://animalia.bio/barred-owl
[3] https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/lifehistory
[4] https://www.hawkmountain.org/raptors/barred-owl
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barred_owl
[6] http://naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/facts/barred_owl_712.html
[7] https://www.audubon.org/news/10-fun-facts-about-barred-owl
[8] https://abcbirds.org/bird/barred-owl/
