Barn Owl
ExploreBirds
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
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
2
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
Ability
Silent Hunter
Barn Owls have super soft, specialized feathers that let them fly almost silently, surprising their prey.
Ability
Super Hearing
Barn Owls have asymmetrical ear openings and a facial disc that help them pinpoint tiny sounds, even in total darkness.
Ability
Head Swivel
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
- Top 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
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Where is Barn Owl usually found?
Farmlands and open fields
How does Barn Owl hunt?
Pursuit
Snap Map
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