© 2008 Chrissie’s Owls              Helping Owls through Education

 

The Barn Owl is recognised by it’s heart shaped facial disk and white under parts, most people we speak to think that Barn Owls are white all over as the beautiful buff colouration of the upper feathers and wings are not seen when the owl is in flight. The facial disk is very important to the Barn Owl as this owl hunts almost entirely by using it’s hearing and the facial disk helps to channel the sound of the prey into the asymmetrical ear openings situated on the sides of the disk. Of the five species of owl found in this country the Barn Owl is the most skilled at hunting. Although this owl prefers to hunt at dawn and dusk, during the breeding season the male can be seen hunting during the day, his offspring will be fully grown at sixteen weeks and they consume a tremendous amount of food. This owl prefers to hunt over rough grassland and can be seen quartering the fields with it’s moth like and silent flight.

The Barn Owl does not hoot but makes a loud shrieking call, it can also hiss and make snoring noises

Barn Owls will nest in hollow trees but they are birds of the open countryside, not woodlands. They will nest in old farm buildings and because of their diet of small rodents are also known as the Farmers Best Friend.

There are now approximately 4.000 breeding pairs of Barn Owl in Britain.

The biggest cause of death for the Barn Owl is the motor vehicle, these owls like to hunt  the grass verges  by the roadside, about 4,000 Barn Owls are killed on our roads  every year.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 the Barn Owl is given special protection.

THE BARN OWL

Latin Name. . Tyto alba.

Distribution.  The Barn Owl is found worldwide in temperate or warm climates, it is not found in cold climates. More than thirty sub species of Barn Owl have been recorded.

Breeding. Barn Owls usually pair for life. The female lays from four to six eggs in April/May  and if conditions are favourable will often produce two clutches a year. Incubation is 30 to 35 days with fledging at 60 days.

Status.  75% of young Barn Owls born every year do not survive. The winter can be a big problem, if severe as Barn Owls can not store body fat.

Length. 33 to 35 cm. Wingspan. 85 to 93 cm.

Weight. 240 to 350g.

     

 

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