Barn Owl

Tyto albaOrder: STRIGIFORMESFamily: Barn Owl (Tytonidae)

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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.

● 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

Field Guide to Birds of North America

Barn Owl

Barn Owl

Flight Pattern