Gail,

>From the measurement information you provided, my guess is that it was a
male barred owl, based on the short tail lenght (7.00 -10.00 inches by
Roberts). I don't know how you measured the wing for additional
comparison,but in any event, the weight is low, even for a small male.
According to Roberts, a male should weigh between 616 - 770 grams.

My guess is that it is a HY bird that either died of starvation, or was
close to it before getting picked off by perhaps a gos, or even another
barred owl. Barred owls hang together as a family group until September
or so, before the young are evicted. Mortality of young owls seeking new
territories is probably statistically very high this time of year.

Jamie Acker
Bainbridge Island

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