Kissing Barred Owls Courtship of Owls

Two Barred Owls appear kissing and grooming in Dallas, Texas. The Barred Owl, Strix varia is a large typical owl native to North America. Best known as the Hoot Owl for its distinctive call, it goes by many other names. As the nesting season approaches, males chase after females giving a variety of hooting and screeching calls. Males display by swaying back and forth, and raising their wings, while sidling along a branch. Courtship feeding and mutual preening also occur. Barred Owls nest in cavities