This may be one wise way to unwind on a Friday night. Van Vleck Gardens will welcome a barred owl and a red-tailed hawk in a demonstration on Friday evening, April 26, from 7 to 8 pm, presented by a representative from the Tenafly Nature Center.

The family-friendly program will showcase how well-equipped these feathered friends are for survival, and separate fact from fiction about the raptors living in our suburban backyards. Then, there’ll be a little time for individuals and families to search for the birds that visit Van Vleck every day.

The barred owl is one of the most beloved of its species, and also goes by the names of Hoot Owl, Eight Hooter (because it vocalizes in a series of eight hoots), Rain Owl, Wood Owl, and Striped Owl. It is known for its distinctive hooting call, exhibits a wingspan of just under four feet, and is the only owl in our part of the country with brown (instead of yellow) eyes. Those doleful eyes, combined with its paler face and eye rings, makes it a favorite in children’s picture books and owl imagery. Barred owls also do surprisingly well in suburban neighborhoods.

Even though it rarely eats chickens, the red tailed hawk is sometimes known as a chickenhawk, and is one of the most common birds of prey in North America and frequently used in falconry. With a wingspan that averages four to five feet, this hefty and adaptable bird lives in diverse North American habitats.

The program is open to families and individuals for $10 per person ($7 each for Friends of Van Vleck). Preregistration is required. To register, please call 973-744-4752 or e-mail education@vanvleck.org.

Photos: Barred owl, Flickr. Hawk, Wikipedia.