Brown-eyed Owls
The barn owl and barred owl are the only Pennsylvania owls with brown eyes, all others have yellow.
As its name implies, the barn owl frequently nests in barns and other man-made structures, although its natural nesting locations are generally tree cavities and rock crevices. Its white appearance and night-time calls and hisses led many farmers to believe it was an apparition. Because of this and the mistaken notion that it was destructive to farm animals, it was often hunted as a pest. Farmers now recognize that it is a valuable ally because it helps save crops and feed by reducing the number of rodents. The barn owl has excellent eyesight and hearing. Experiments have shown that its hearing is so acute that it can locate and capture prey in total darkness. Add to the keen sense of hearing its silent flight (as with most owls, the feathers are serrate and fuzzy allowing air to pass without noisy buffeting), and the result is a very effective predator. [Reference: Natioanl Audubon Society; photo by Bob Shomler.]
Barred owls are adaptable birds and have learned to live near man where forests are protected. They too nest in hollow trees. They hunt rodents and other birds. The barred owl is a master of vocalizations. The call of this owl is heard at night, but can occur during daylight hours as well, resulting in people wondering what the sound actually is. The standard call is often translated as sounding much like "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?" The barred owl makes a host of other sounds too, including squirrel-like barking, monkey-like hoots and yells, and even blood curdling screams! No doubt the sounds made by barred owls have made some folks wonder whether or not their local woodland was haunted! The barred owl is the most commonly encountered owl at WPC's Bear Run Nature Reserve in Fayette County. In most places where it occurs, the barred owl is a symbol of intact mature forests. [Reference: Carolina Nature Center; photo by Larry Schweiger.]
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