They are found all over eastern North America from Southern Canada down to Florida. They have spread west in Canada and Washington State.
They live in wooded swamps and forests, especially when they are near rivers and streams.
They grow to about 20 inches tall. They have a big, brown head, with rings around their eyes on a pale face. Their back and wings are brown with white spots and their chest and belly are white with brown bars. Males and females look the same.
They hunt at night.
They eat mice, rabbits, birds and frogs.
They nest in tree holes (cavities) or use old nests left by a hawk or crow. Female lays 1-5 white eggs.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Genus: Strix
Species: S. varia
