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Barn Owl

Tyto albaOrder: STRIGIFORMESFamily: Barn Owl (Tytonidae)

Breeding Location:

Open landscapes, Grassland with scattered trees, Forest, Rocky places



Breeding Type:

Monogamous



Breeding Population:

Fairly common to common, Widespread



Egg Color:

White, sometimes nest stained



Number of Eggs:

2 - 12



Incubation Days:

28 - 35



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Debris arranged into crude depression.



Migration:

Irregular



Splitbar

Overview

Barn Owl: Medium-sized owl with glaring white, heart-shaped facial disk, no ear tufts, and long legs. Upperparts are orange-brown with fine white spots and dark bars. Underparts are white with small black spots. Feeds primarily on small mammals, also takes small birds. Slow silent mothlike flight.

Range and Habitat

Barn Owl: Occurs on every continent except Antarctica. Found in a vast range of habitats, from rural to urban, but prefers warm climates with mild winters. Nearby open grassland is essential; rarely found in deep forests or mountains.

Breeding and Nesting

Barn Owl: Mates for life; because life expectancy is 2 years or less, reproductive rate is higher than that of other owls. Lays from 2 to 12 round, white eggs, usually more when prey is abundant. Builds nest inside barns, silos, church steeples, abandoned buildings, and hollow trees.

Foraging and Feeding

Barn Owl: Feeds on small mammals such as mice, voles, and shrews; also consumes small birds.

Vocalization

Barn Owl: Calls range from a rasping hiss to hair-raising screams of "kiiissh" and "shrreeeee, shrreeeee." Does not hoot like other owls.

Similar Species

Barn Owl: Short-eared Owl is streaked, has darker face and underparts, yellow eyes, and shorter legs.

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Family Barn Owl (Tytonidae)_blue
Species Tyto alba
Length14 - 20 Inches
Wingspan43 Inches

Barn Owl

Barn Owl: Medium-sized owl with glaring white, heart-shaped facial disk, no ear tufts, and long legs. Upperparts are orange-brown with fine white spots and dark bars. Underparts are white with small black spots. Feeds primarily on small mammals, also takes small birds. Slow silent mothlike flight.

● Song: "csssssshhh", "kiiissh", "shrreeeeeee-srreeeeee"

● Foraging & Feeding: Barn Owl: Feeds on small mammals such as mice, voles, and shrews; also consumes small birds.

● Breeding & nesting: Barn Owl: Mates for life; because life expectancy is 2 years or less, reproductive rate is higher than that of other owls. Lays from 2 to 12 round, white eggs, usually more when prey is abundant. Builds nest inside barns, silos, church steeples, abandoned buildings, and hollow trees.

● Similar species: Barn Owl: Short-eared Owl is streaked, has darker face and underparts, yellow eyes, and shorter legs.

Flight Pattern

Strong flight., Slow steady shallow wing beats.
Barn Owl Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Barn Owl: Occurs on every continent except Antarctica. Found in a vast range of habitats, from rural to urban, but prefers warm climates with mild winters. Nearby open grassland is essential; rarely found in deep forests or mountains.
BreedingMonogamous
PopulationFairly common to common, Widespread
MigrationIrregular
Weight14 - 18 Ounces