Quick Answer
Yes, barred owls will eat bird seed. As opportunistic predators, barred owls have a varied diet that includes small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and occasionally seeds. While not a primary food source, bird seed can provide barred owls with nutrients and calories when prey is scarce. Bird feeders may even attract songbirds and rodents that barred owls prey upon. However, feeding barred owls bird seed is not recommended, as it can make them dependent on humans and more likely to approach homes.
Barred Owl Diet
Barred owls are highly adaptable predators that consume a wide range of prey. Their diet typically consists of:
- Small mammals: voles, mice, squirrels, rabbits
- Birds: songbirds, woodpeckers, grouse, waterfowl
- Reptiles: snakes, lizards, turtles
- Amphibians: frogs, salamanders
- Insects: beetles, crickets, caterpillars
- Fish
- Invertebrates: worms, mollusks, crustaceans
They hunt primarily at night using their keen eyesight and hearing to locate prey. Barred owls often perch and wait to ambush prey on the ground. They also wade into shallow water to catch fish and aquatic animals. As opportunistic hunters, barred owls will consume whatever abundant food sources are available in their habitat.
Will Barred Owls Eat Bird Seed?
While small mammals and birds make up the bulk of their diet, barred owls are known to occasionally eat seeds from bird feeders or scattered on the ground. Common bird seeds like millet, sunflower seeds, and corn can provide barred owls with carbohydrates and fat.
However, bird seed is not a preferable or reliable food source for barred owls. They lack the ability to extensively crack hard seeds and nuts with their beaks. And bird seed alone does not provide the complete nutrition an owl requires.
Instead, bird seed may supplement a barred owl’s diet when rodent and bird populations decline in the winter. Backyard bird feeders may also draw in birds and squirrels that become easy targets for hunting owls. So the availability of bird seed can provide barred owls with an alternate food source when needed.
Risks of Feeding Bird Seed to Barred Owls
While barred owls will eat bird seed in some situations, purposefully feeding bird seed or other foods to owls is not recommended. Reasons not to feed bird seed to barred owls include:
- It can make them overly dependent on human food sources.
- They may become aggressive towards people or defensive of feeder areas.
- Eating inappropriate foods can cause illness or malnutrition.
- It encourages owls to approach homes and populated areas.
- They may stop hunting naturally and lose foraging skills.
Like most wild birds, it’s best not to feed barred owls or purposefully attract them with food. Enjoying them from a distance allows barred owls to maintain their natural behaviors and healthy wariness of humans. Contact wildlife authorities if a barred owl seems unable to find natural food sources on its own or exhibits concerning dependence on humans.
Bird Seed and Barred Owl Attraction
While directly feeding bird seed to barred owls has risks, using bird feeders in barred owl territories has some benefits. Filling backyard feeders with black oil sunflower seeds, millet, and other seed mixes may indirectly help attract barred owls by:
- Drawing in songbirds like sparrows, finches, and doves which the owls prey on.
- Attracting rodents like squirrels and mice that eat spilled seed and can become owl prey.
- Providing cover for ambush hunting if feeders are near trees or shrubs.
Ensure bird feeders are not placed directly on the ground and clean up excess seed to minimize attracting rodents. Use squirrel guards to limit access. And position feeders at least 10-15 feet from vegetation to reduce predator cover. Responsibly maintained bird feeders can allow observation of barred owls and other wildlife without the risks of direct feeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do barred owls like to eat?
Barred owls are carnivores that like to eat small mammals such as mice, voles, squirrels, and rabbits. They also prey on birds like grouse, woodpeckers, thrushes, and jays. Amphibians, reptiles, fish, insects, worms, and crustaceans also make up their varied diet.
Will barred owls eat at my bird feeders?
Barred owls may occasionally eat seeds from bird feeders. More often they use feeders to help locate prey like congregating birds and rodents. They do not rely on bird seed as a primary food source in the wild.
What bird seed do barred owls prefer?
Black oil sunflower seeds have a high fat and protein content that barred owls can digest. Small seeds like millet are also consumed. They prefer animal prey but may eat readily available seed mixes when natural food is limited.
Do I need to stop feeding birds if barred owls are around?
Responsibly maintained bird feeders pose little risk in barred owl territories. Place feeders away from covers, clean spilled seed, and use guards to limit access. This allows enjoyment of backyard birds while minimizing dependence by owls.
What should I do if a barred owl starts relying on my feeders?
If a barred owl seems unable to hunt naturally and is constantly approaching bird feeders, stop feeding for a period. Harass or scare the owl away from the area gently using loud noises or water spray. Seek help from wildlife authorities if the behavior persists.
Conclusion
Barred owls are highly adaptable birds of prey that will occasionally eat bird seed. While not a preferred food source, seeds from backyard feeders or the ground can supplement their diet when natural prey is limited. However, purposefully feeding barred owls is not recommended, as it risks making them dependent on humans. Responsibly maintained bird feeders can allow barred owl observation and boost prey populations without encouraging dependence. With an opportunistic and varied diet, barred owls can find adequate nutrition in the wild without relying on direct seed feeding.