Barn Owl

Meet "Captain Jackie" the Barn Owll! Captain Jackie is missing an eye.

About Barn Owls
(Information taken from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

The Barn Owl is one of the most widely distributed birds in the world, found on all continents except Antarctica, and on many oceanic islands as well. It has been introduced by people to some of the few places it did not already occur, namely Hawaii, the Seychelles Islands, and Lord Howe Island.

Description

• Medium-sized owl.
• White or mostly white underside.
• Heart-shaped, white face.
• Back tawny, marked with black and white spots.
• Long legs.
• Eyes dark.
• Round head without ear tufts.
• Size: 32-40 cm (13-16 in)
• Wingspan: 100-125 cm (39-49 in)
• Weight: 400-700 g (14.12-24.71 ounces)

Sex Differences

• Sexes similar in plumage, but females are larger, darker, and more spotted below.

Immature

• Immature like adult.

Food

• Small mammals.

Range

Summer Range:

• Resident from northern United States and southern British Columbia southward through Central and South America and the Caribbean. Also Africa, Europe, southeast Asia, Australia, and some oceanic islands. Introduced to Hawaii, Seychelles Islands, and Lord Howe Island.

Habitat

• Found in open habitats, such as grasslands, deserts, marshes, and agricultural fields.

Behavior

Foraging:

• Hunts at night, flying low over ground.

Reproduction

Nest Type:

• Nests in hollow trees, cliff cavities, in buildings, and nest boxes. Nest cup made from shredded owl pellets.

Egg Description:

• Dull white.

Clutch Size:

• Usually 3-9 eggs. Range: 2-18.

Condition at Hatching:

• Helpless and covered with white down.

Conservation Status

• Common, but local in some parts of its range. Populations in Midwest and inland East dropped dramatically during 1970-2000. Listed as Endangered in some states. Nest box programs have helped increase populations in some areas.

Sound

• Call is a drawn-out, hissing scream.

Our Other Educational Birds:

American Kestrel
Bald Eagle
Barn Owl
Barred Owl
Great Blue Heron
Great Horned Owl
Peregrine Falcon
Red Tailed Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Rough Legged Hawk
Snowy Owl
Screech Owl
Trumpeter Swan
Turkey Vulture

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