Barn Owl
NameBarn Owl
Common NameBarn Owl
Scientific NameTyto alba
FamilyTytonidae
Wingspan (cm)110
Length (cm)36
Weight (g)450
Plumage DetailsFeatures a distinctive white to pale buff, heart-shaped facial disc. The underside is typically white or pale buff, while the upperparts are golden-brown to grey, finely mottled with dark spots and streaks. The wings are long and pale underneath.
Vocalization / CallUnlike typical hooting owls, Barn Owls produce a variety of calls including hisses, screeches, and raspy alarm calls. Their most characteristic sound is a long, eerie, drawn-out screech.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland, farmland, open country, marsh, savanna
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBarn Owls have a cosmopolitan distribution, found on all continents except Antarctica. They are widespread across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia, and the Americas, inhabiting temperate and tropical regions.
Identifying FeaturesHeart-shaped white facial disc, Pale underside, Golden-brown mottled upperparts, Dark eyes, Silent, buoyant flight, Screeching vocalization
Description
The Barn Owl is a medium-sized, pale owl known for its distinctive heart-shaped facial disc. It is a nocturnal hunter, often seen silently gliding over open fields and grasslands in search of small mammals.
