The Common Barn Owl

The Barn Owl is a medium-size owl measuring 13 to 20 inches in height with a wingspan of 2 ½ to 3 feet. It is readily distinguished from other owls by its heart shaped facial-ruff. The ruff is white rimmed with tan and completely encircles the eyes and beak. Ear tufts are non-existent. It is primarily a white bird with shades of buff and yellow on its head and back. The chest and belly are white. The legs are long and bare.

The Common Barn Owl can be found on every continent except Antarctica. They are primarily found in the middle latitudes avoiding the extreme heat of the desert and the bitter cold in the north.

They inhabit the grasslands relying on open fields and the edge of woods for hunting. They avoid densely forested areas, high elevations and extensively cultivated farmlands.

Barn Owls are cavity nesters. They will build their nests in man-made structures such as buildings, church steeples, and nest boxes. They are prolific breeders, usually hatching two broods each year. A typical clutch consists of 3 to 6 eggs, and are incubated for 29 to 34 days. The owlets fledge between 56 and 62 days but remain dependent on their parents for another two months. The female usually lays a second clutch before the owlets from the first brood fledge.

The Barn Owl's diet is predominantly mice, rates, voles and gophers. On occasion it will snatch a fish out of the water, or a bird from the sky. When hunting, it flies low to the ground and dives onto its prey with talons extended. Extremely good at hearing, the Barn Owl can catch its prey in total darkness. It is a nocturnal creature but will occasionally hunt during daylight hours.

Its prey is torn apart and completely consumed. What the Barn Owl cannot digest is packed into pellets and spits-up.

Like most owls, the Barn Owl is silent in flight. This is due to the tiny serrations on the leadingedge of its flight feathers. This breaks up the airflow over the wings reducing the turbulence and the noise.

At close range, the Barn Owl's cry is an ear-shattering shree! When cornered, it will hiss like a snake.

1. The Barn Owl doesn't hoot, it hisses.

2. Due to its coloring, the Barn Owl is often referred to as the "golden owl."

3. The Barn Owl can live up to 17 years of age.