Actually, I've always considered Barred Owls rather tame and easily
approached. I don't think they are shy, but they live in dense forests and
thus "avoid human habitats." They are common almost everywhere there are
woodlands in Florida, and some state parks and nature trails are known as
fairly easy places to see them during the daytime. They are often more
common than Great Horned Owls (i.e., their population density is greater in
their preferred habitat, as much as anything because they are smaller),
perhaps more difficult to find in the daytime just because their preferred
roost sites feature denser vegetation. I would say they have a lot in
common with Spotted Owls, but--fortunately for them--they have a wider
habitat preference. They nest in several forested parks in Greater
Seattle.

I don't want to take away the mystique of your seeing them, Maureen;
they're great birds!

Dennis Paulson, Director phone 206-756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax 206-756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416