Gene, the upperparts of Barred Owls are heavily barred all over with pale
bars except the forepart of the crown, where the bars get shorter and are
more or less spots. The same area in a Spotted Owl is sparsely spotted with
white. And indeed the ground color of the Spotted is darker, richer brown;
and it is a smaller bird. Sounds like little doubt of the identity of your
bird.

Question: How do you tell a Sparred from a Botted Owl? I'm hoping to see
both of them some day.

Check out the new Seattle Weekly for the latest word on the formerly
glamorous Spotted Owl.

Dennis Paulson