Local Wildlife - Juvenile Barred Owl

We have a juvenile barred owl that is making itself at home in the vicinity of our deck. This youngster is still making the funny whistling call that juvenile barred owls make to contact their parents, probably when they want to be fed. This bird is obviously trying to learn to hunt. It sits in the trees next to our deck and stares at the birds and squirrels that come to our feeders. We haven't seen it try to catch one yet, but I hope to witness that soon (Trish told me to say only if it's one of those darn squirrels). I think it's trying to work up the nerve to dive at one of them.

If you aren't sure you have barred owls in your area, maybe you've heard their calls (which I love hearing). The adults have a distinctive baritone call that sounds like they are saying, "Who cooks, who cooks for youuuuuu?"

Below is a photo of our squirrel watcher. Notice it still has a bit of downy fuzz around the head.