Barn Owl

Tyto alba

The Barn Owl has a heart-shaped face and is known for its ghostly appearance! It often hunts in fields and can fly silently to catch its prey.

Habitat: Farmlands and open fields

Appearance

The Barn Owl has a striking white, heart-shaped face and dark, beady eyes. Its underside is pure white or pale buff, contrasting with golden-brown upperparts speckled with grey and black dots. This unique face makes it easily distinguishable.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderStrigiformesFamilyTytonidaeGenusTyto

Barn Owl

Interesting facts

A Barn Owl's big eyes can't move, so they move their entire head to look around!

Barn Owls often nest in old barns or abandoned buildings, giving them their name!

They can sometimes have two families of babies in one year if food is plentiful!

They swallow their prey whole, then later cough up a pellet of undigested bones and fur.

Special abilities

Barn Owls have super soft, specialized feathers that let them fly almost silently, surprising their prey.

Barn Owls have asymmetrical ear openings and a facial disc that help them pinpoint tiny sounds, even in total darkness.

Barn Owls can turn their heads almost all the way around, up to 270 degrees, to spot prey without moving their bodies.

Measurements & details

Length: 32-40 cm
Wingspan: 80-95 cm
Weight: 0.3-0.6 kg
Lifespan: 1-4 years
Speed: 32 km/h
Clutch Size: 4-7
Incubation: 30-34 days

Diet & Feeding

They are expert hunters who mostly eat small rodents like voles and mice.

Primary Foods

voles
mice
shrews
lemmings
rats
small birds

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

Hunts

Meadow Vole

Microtus pennsylvanicus

A primary food source, keeping their populations in check.

Hunts

House Mouse

Mus musculus

A common prey item, especially near human settlements.

Hunts

Common Shrew

Sorex araneus

A small, fast mammal often caught by owls.

Eaten by

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Can sometimes prey on smaller Barn Owls if given the opportunity.

Traits

Wildlife

Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.

Feathered

Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.

Ambush Predator

An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range.

Forest

Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

Carnivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.

Nocturnal

Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.

Also known as

Common Barn OwlGhost OwlWhite Owl

Collections

Birds

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Barn Owl?

Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How long is Barn Owl?

32-40 cm

What is Barn Owl's wingspan?

80-95 cm

How much does Barn Owl weigh?

0.3-0.6 kg

How long does Barn Owl live?

1-4 years

How fast can Barn Owl move?

32 km/h

What does Barn Owl eat?

They are expert hunters who mostly eat small rodents like voles and mice.