Don Eckelberry: Barred Owl

Artist: Don Eckelberry
1921 - 2001
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1978
Image Size: 18 by 18 inches
Overall Size: 22 by 21.875 inches
Medium: Acrylic on Cold Press Illustration Board

Appearing almost as large as the Great Horned Owl, the Barred Owl has long feathers that hide his slender body and give the illusion of largeness. This owl, measuring sixteen to twenty-four inches in length, has a barred breast, round head without ear tufts and, unlike most owls, dark-colored eyes. Well-known for the variety of his hoots, the Barred Owl can sound like a barking dog or spit like a bobcat. He calls throughout the year and his boisterous call may carry several miles. One of the best-known wood owls, he lives in coniferous and mixed-wood forests on a wide range extending from Southern Canada south to Guatemala and east to the Atlantic Ocean. Like many owls, the Barred Owl is solitary most of the year, but in nesting season is found in pairs. In March or April, the Barred Owl builds a nest in a hollow tree where two to four eggs are laid. Incubation, done by the female, lasts about twenty-eight days. After hatching, the young are brooded for three weeks. During this time, the male provides the young a diet of mice, hares, and other small mammals. Curiously, the Barred Owl is even known to devour other small owls. Known as a primarily nocturnal predator, the Barred Owl may be capable of killing its prey in total darkness as does the Barn Owl, locating it by sound alone. However, under normal circumstances, it uses its keen night vision. When food is scarce in winter, the Barred Owls fly south to search for prey.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the U.S. 15¢ Barred Owl stamp issued August 26, 1978.

Artwork Copyright © 1978 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): Sold

Easy Purchase Plan: Buy this ArtworkOriginal with 8 monthly payments. Shipping and handling will be added to the first payment. Payments will be charged automatically as due to your Credit Card.