EDUCATION & OUTREACH
Education, Outreach & Public Presentations
A number of our birds sustained injuries that were too severe for them to ever be released back to the wild. A few of our birds were human imprints and never learned how to be a wild bird. These birds have a permanent and loving home at DBWBR, and many of them work as Ambassadors for wild birds. They come with us to public outreach and educational events and help us teach people about these amazing birds and how important it is for us, as humans, to protect them and our their habitats.
Outreach Event – If your group or organization is interested in having us bring some of our birds to you, please contact us. We bring a variety of raptors such as owls, hawks and falcons. The minimum charge for an outreach event is $250 within Jefferson County (outside our local area we will charge additional for travel - depending upon distance).
Group Tours of DBWBR – We are limited in having any public tour events at our location at this time.
Barred Owls and Their Impact on the Pacific Northwest's Ecosystem
click HERE to see WDFW's full PDF
The barred owl (Strix varia) is a relatively new arrival in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), but its presence has already sent ripples through the region’s ecosystems. Originally native to the eastern United States, barred owls expanded westward over the past century, establishing themselves in forests once dominated by the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina). Their arrival has not only put the spotted owl at risk but has also disrupted the balance of other native species, reshaping the region’s forests in unexpected ways.
One of the most alarming consequences of the barred owl’s expansion is its impact on the northern spotted owl, a species already endangered due to habitat loss. Unlike the spotted owl, which depends on old-growth forests and primarily hunts small mammals, barred owls are highly adaptable. They thrive in both old and younger forests and have a more varied diet, feeding on birds, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates in addition to mammals. Their aggressive and territorial nature gives them an advantage over the more specialized spotted owl, often forcing them out of their nesting areas. As a result, spotted owl populations have plummeted, leading to controversial management efforts, including the selective removal of barred owls in some regions. Without intervention, scientists warn that the spotted owl could disappear from large portions of its range.
The presence of barred owls has also affected other wildlife in the PNW. Western screech owls, which are smaller and less aggressive, have declined in areas where barred owls have taken over, likely due to increased predation and competition for nesting sites. Band-tailed pigeons, a native forest-dwelling species, may also be experiencing greater predation pressure. Small mammals like pocket gophers, which play an important role in soil aeration and plant diversity, are seeing changes in population dynamics as barred owls shift the balance of predation. Even reptiles like the ring-necked snake, a secretive species that relies on undisturbed habitats, may be at risk as barred owls expand their diet to include more amphibians and reptiles.
The barred owl’s rapid expansion in the PNW highlights how a single species can reshape an entire ecosystem. While some wildlife may adapt, others like the spotted owl’s are being pushed to the brink. Conservationists continue to debate the best course of action, weighing the need to protect native species against the ethical and ecological challenges of managing an invasive predator. As barred owls continue to establish themselves in the region, their long-term impact remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the forests of the Pacific Northwest are changing, and the effects will be felt for generations to come.