Well, I haven’t changed my topics for my column to holiday menu favorites or whom you rely to prepare them. I’m referring to an owl species most have never seen and probably never heard.

I will promise you though, that once you hear a barred owl calling, it is a nature sound you will never forget nor confuse with any other. The barred owls can be very vocal, and loud. As the title alludes to, its call is a resounding: WHO COOKS FOR YOU, WHO COOKS FOR YOU ALLL …

I have heard or seen barred owls (not to be confused with barn owls) at Bake Oven Knob, in Franklin Township, in Towamensing Township, and most commonly, in Penn Forest Township. Birding pal Dave and I have made a few birding trips after dark and have been able, by playing a recording of their call, to have them not only respond, but also fly in to investigate this “newcomer” in their territory.

This past year I was able to locate a pair of them again in the Wild Creek area by playing their raucous calls. To my surprise, my sister Jamie visiting from Pittsburgh tagged along on one birding outing in early June, and even though it was daylight for well over an hour, one very curious owl responded. Not only did it fly in to investigate, but it cooperated by calling back to the taped call I was playing. I think she was quite impressed.

The barred owl is the Times News region’s (actually Pennsylvania’s as well) second-largest breeding owl. Only the great horned owl is larger. Barred owls have no horns (feathery ear tufts) and except for the barn owl, are the only owls with dark eyes.

They are not a “suburban” owl. They seldom nest or feed close to human activities. Great horned owls are more tolerant of or have adapted to humans better. Look or listen for them in the deep woods. I have seen most of them living close to streams or wetter forest areas.

Other than the rare visitor from the north, the short-eared owl, the barred owl does often become active on dark, dreary days. Our other owls are more strictly nocturnal. Although only an inch smaller than the great horned owl, barred owls are rarely found in their “nastier” relatives territories. Competition with the great horned owl and the need for large trees for the nest cavities, are their biggest limiting factors. Note that more barred owls are found in the southern U.S. than in Pennsylvania.

Barred owls feed mostly on smaller mammals such as red backed voles and shrews. They prefer forested areas with streams since they also will eat small fish or even crayfish.

If your nature travels take you into a possible barred owl area, look for, and especially listen for, their unique, “WHO COOKS FOR YOU, WHO COOKS FOR YOU ALLLLL. Once you’ve heard them, you will never forget, I guarantee it. Enjoy, Enjoy.

True or False: Raccoons wet or wash their food because they have no saliva.

Last Week’s Trivia Answer: Raccoon youngsters are called cubs.

Contact Barry Reed at breed71@gmail.com.