Barred Owls are slightly easier to see during cold winter days because they often emerge from the shadows to soak up sun. Identifying a Barred Owl is easy. They’re the only common owl in Maine with dark eyes. (Barn Owls have dark eyes and occasionally visit southern Maine.)
All other northeastern owls have bright yellow eyes, including the Great Horned and Short-Eared Owls, both captives, shown below.
Barred Owls get their name from the vertical, jail-like bars on their chests, which are quite different from the horizontal spots on the otherwise similar Spotted Owls of the west. (Brooklin, Maine)