Scientific Name: Tyto alba
Size:
A barn owl is approximately 34 – 38 cm in size.
Description:
Barn owls are normally nocturnal or seen around dusk and dawn but it is not unusual to see them during the day if necessity calls. They are easy to identify when flying as often appear white against the landscape although they may be more difficult to spot when sat. Look out for them in areas of wild grass or meadows though they can also be found in other areas such as woodlands or appear alike to a ghost passing in front of your windshield when driving. Their hissing call is distinctive although you may find it daunting when heard at night.
Identifying Sex:
Male and female barn owls are similar, however, females can usually be determined by black spots under the wings and darker feathers. This is not foolproof as males sometimes exhibit the same features though most males are paler than females.
Diet:
Barn owls usually eat small mammals such as voles, shrews and mice. They cough up pellets, which contain the indigestible elements in their food. Their pellets tend to be almost spherical or cylindrical in shape and are relatively smooth. They are usually found in areas where the owl roosts or nests. Fresh pellets are dark in colour and get lighter with age. Barn owl pellets are generally around 2.5 – 3.5 cm in diameter.
Breeding:
Barn owls have the ability to breed from within their first year of age. The breeding season usually begins around March and is generally over by August though there are exceptions. Once a breeding site has been chosen, barn owls will spend time bonding and males will do more hunting whilst the approximately 350g female gains weight to reach her optimum breeding weight at around 425g. She will lay around 4 – 6 oval, white eggs on a nest of pellets. The laying of eggs is spread out over approximately 8 – 21 days so that meeting feeding demands of hungry owlets will be more manageable. Not all eggs are likely to hatch but after incubation of approximately 31 days, the eggs usually begin to hatch in order of laying.
On a Personal Note:
Over the years we’ve seen a lot of barn owls. Some have been over untamed grassland, others on farmland or in woodland. We’ve noticed they follow a similar routine on most evenings and therefore we have been able to see the same barn owl repeatedly.
Checking fence posts and trees are a good way to spot them if they’re there and it helps to carry binoculars though barn owls are quite easily identifiable without. The hissing call goes from being frightening in a lonely location on a dark night to something desirable and familiar once heard enough.
Whilst many people will describe barn owls as nocturnal, we have seen barn owls during the day plenty of times and watched a parent hunting all day every day whilst we were on holiday once in the South of England; disproving the traditional assumption completely. Barn owls are well-distributed around the UK and a variety of barn owl species exist around the world.
Barn Owl Taxonomy:
Useful Links:
One of the best sources for further information about barn owls is the ‘Barn Owl Trust’ website: www.barnowltrust.org.uk.
Read more about how the law protects barn owls on the RSPB website here.
Additional Reading:
Want to know more about barn owls?
Do you want to learn how to identify tracks and signs left by a range of animals and birds?