All About Barn Owls - Barn Owl Facts & Information

About Barn Owls

Although in most of its range the Barn Owl is a nocturnal bird, in Great Britain, Barn Owl populations also hunt by day! There are over 10,000 breeding pairs in the UK so they are a very common species of Owl, they are green under the birds of conservation concern list. They are also protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981.

Easy to recognise with their distinctive heart shaped face, white under body, white face and beige back, the Barn Owl is one of the most widely distributed Owl in the world, and the most widespread of all species. Along with most Owls, the female is larger than the male.

In the past, rural populations have called the Barn Owl many different names, including 'Ghost Owl', 'Church Owl' and 'Demon Owl'. Their Latin name 'Tyto alba' also translates to White Owl.

The Barn Owl's call is a distinctive, drawn-out screech that has been described as eerie and unsettling, much like the call of the Screech Owl. This screeching call is often heard during the breeding season when males communicate with potential mates or when defending their territory. Unlike many other owls, Barn Owls do not produce the familiar hooting sound, making their vocalisations quite unique among their peers.

Barn Owl Lifespan

The lifespan of a Barn Owl can vary significantly depending on a range of factors including habitat, availability of food, and environmental threats.

In the wild, Barn Owls typically have a relatively short lifespan, often living between 2 to 4 years. However, some individuals can live considerably longer under favourable conditions. This relatively short life expectancy for a medium bird is due to various risks such as predation, accidents, and food scarcity. In more recent years, ringed birds have been recovered after being hit by road or rail traffic.

Despite the average being low, there have been recorded instances of wild Barn Owls living up to 10 years or more. The oldest known wild Barn Owl lived to be around 15 years old.

Where do Barn Owls live?

Although a slightly misleading name, Barn Owls don't just live in barns! These Owls are usually found in mixed farming areas and farm buildings.

They love ditches, field margins and verges - any open habitats with rough grassland makes a good foraging habitat, so this is where they usually stay around.

Barn Owls are also spotted on country roadside verges.

What Do Barn Owls Eat?

Often seen flying over grasslands hunting, Barn Owls are birds of prey, and mainly feed on rodents and other small mammals such as mice and shrews. In the UK, they most commonly eat field voles; they will fly overhead fields to catch these mammals.

Did you know that because of their hunting techniques, Barns Owls are sometimes mistaken for a Short Eared Owl? The best time to see their hunting display is through the winter and they have to hunt more to survive the cold weather!

Occasionally, Barn Owls will eat bats, small birds and amphibians. Barn Owls swallow their food in one and then regurgitate the bones and fur as Owl pellets.

Where Do Barn Owls Nest?

Typically, Barn Owls will nest in barns, and other old outbuildings, as well as the hollows of trees. In more recent years, these natural nesting sites are becoming scarce.

Barn Owls will use species specific nest boxes, especially with the decline in natural spaces, where they will nest and raise their young in this suitable habitat.

Barn Owl Breeding & Barn Owl Chicks

For Barn Owls, there is no set breeding season as it depends on food availability and other factors. However, on average, the breeding season takes place around March to August, but can happen at any time of the year.

Male Barn Owls will vocalise and do aerial displays to attract a female. These male Barn Owl calls are usually loud and include a variety of screeches. Males will also present food to female Barn Owls to demonstrate they are able to provide for the female and chicks.

Once they have chose a partner, these cavity nesting birds will build their nests on top of the previous years debris.

An average clutch size is around two to 11 and egg laying takes place over a few days. Once laid, the incubation begins, this lasts for around 29-34 days before staggered hatching begins.

Once the chicks have hatched, both the male and the female will feed the young Barn Owls mice and voles. The small Barns Owls grow rapidly and leave the nest after around 8 weeks.

Barn Owl Predators

Great Horned Owls are large and powerful owls and are one of the most significant predators of adult Barn Owls. They can easily overpower barn owls and are known to attack them.

Some species of Eagles, such as the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), may prey on barn owls, particularly if they catch them in open areas.

While foxes and other terrestrial predators are more likely to target young owls or eggs, they can also pose a threat to adult barn owls if they catch them on the ground.

Five Facts about Barn Owls

1. Barn Owls are easily recognisable by their heart shaped face, white or light coloured underparts, and golden buff upperparts. Their unique facial disc helps to funnel sound to their ears, making them highly effective hunters.

2. Barn Owls have an extraordinary sense of hearing, which allows them to locate prey even in complete darkness. Their asymmetrically placed ears help them pinpoint the exact location of sounds.

3. Barn Owls are one of the most widespread owl species, found on every continent except Antarctica. They inhabit a wide range of environments, including open countryside, farmlands, and urban areas.

4. Barn Owls have specialised feathers that enable silent flight. The edges of their primary feathers are serrated, which reduces noise and allows them to sneak up on their prey undetected.

5. Barn Owls primarily feed on small mammals, such as mice, voles, and shrews. They play a crucial role in controlling rodent populations. They swallow their prey whole and later regurgitate indigestible parts, such as bones and fur, in the form of pellets.