Here’s something you don’t see every day.  A barred owl was spotted on A Street by a stylist Taylor O’Neil at Love and Mercy Salon.

Now many a snowy owl has been spotted in South Boston, especially in the winter. But never a barred owl. Is it strange to see an owl in the city? Not really.  They have been known to hang out in urban areas in trees and hunt for rats, birds, insects, reptiles and even fish!

Here’s a little background on the barred owl:

The barred owl, also known as the northern barred owl, striped owl, or, more informally, hoot owl or eight-hooter owl, is a North American large species of owl.

Habitat – Woodlands, wooded river bottoms, wooded swamps. Favors mostly dense and thick woods with only scattered clearings, especially in low-lying and swampy areas. Most common in deciduous or mixed woods in southeast, but in north and northwest may be found in mature coniferous trees.

Other wildlife spotted in Southie –a harbor seal sighting. Coyotes, deer, skunks, bunnies, mola mola sunfish, whales, bald eagles, turkeys, swans – all spotted in the neighborhood!