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Check out this beautiful Barred Owl that photographer Heather Schaefgen-Russell @ncbirdnerd found! These awesome birds are found throughout central and eastern North Carolina all year round. They prefer to nest and forage primarily in wetlands, such as around ponds and in swamps and marshes. A familiar sound in swamps throughout the southern United States, Barred Owls have a distinctive hooting call of 8–9 notes perhaps best described as “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?” Speaking of food, these handsome Owls are not picky eaters. They’re known to dine on frogs, crayfish, small to medium sized mammals (mice, squirrels, voles, Opossum) and even other birds! For more great birds, go give @ncbirdnerd a follow and be sure to check out her adventures on her website at www.ncbirdnerd.com Happy birding! Photo by @ncbirdnerd . . . . #birdnerd #birdsofinsta #birdsofinstagram #ncwildlife #birding #birdwatching #birdwatchers #bird #birds #ncbirding #ncbirds #ncbirdwatching #canon #ncoutdoors #ncnature #canon-wildlife #ncwildlifephotographer #northcarolinabirding #birdwatchingnc #northcarolinabirds #audubonsociety #birdoftheday #ncbirdnerd #SuperbOwl #barredowl #owl#owls #owlsofinstagram PS. Seriously go follow Heather. Her Prothonotary Warbler photos are freak’n amazing 😉

A post shared by Bird Watching N.C. (@birdwatching_nc) on Feb 2, 2020 at 6:18pm PST