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Barn Owl

Tyto albaOrder: STRIGIFORMESFamily: Barn Owl (Tytonidae)
Barn Owl Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: Hooked
  • Eye Color: Dark brown to black.
  • Head Pattern: Plain, Unique pattern
  • Crown Color: Pale rust-brown with black spots and gray feather tips.
  • Forehead Color: White
  • Nape Color: Pale rust-brown with black spots and gray feather tips.
  • Throat Color: White with tiny black spots.
  • Cere color: White
Barn Owl Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 36-51 cm (14-20 in)
  • Weight: 397-510 g (14-18 oz)
  • Size: Large (16 - 32 in)
  • Color Primary: White, Brown
  • Underparts: White with tiny black spots.
  • Upperparts: Pale rust-brown with black spots and gray feather tips.
  • Back Pattern: Spotted or speckled
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: Spotted or speckled
Barn Owl Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Strong flight., Slow steady shallow wing beats.
  • Wingspan Range: 107-112 cm (42-44 in)
  • Wing Shape: Broad-Wings, Pointed-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Notched Tail
  • Tail Pattern: White
  • Upper Tail: Pale rust-brown with black spots and gray feather tips.
  • Under Tail: White with pale rust-brown barring.
  • Leg Color: Gray
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Family
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