Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

The Barn Owl is a widely distributed species, common to most parts of the world. Farmers often encourage Barn Owls to stay around by providing nest sites.

This is Lilo, a 3 year old male barn Owl. Lilo was bred in captivity in Wales and has twice flown off from Turbary Woods, most recently in 2006 during a demonstration at the centre.

Range

Barn Owls occur worldwide, on every continent except Antarctica. These are birds of open country such as farmland, preferring to hunt along the edges of woods.

Description

These are pale, long-winged, long-legged owls, 33–39 cm in length with an 80–95 cm wingspan. The plumage covering the head, back & outer wings are of a rich apricot colour; scattered with silvery blue mottling & the frontal area & under parts of the wings are of pure white, eyes are black & surrounded by a distinctive white facial disk that is heart-shaped.

Voice

Barn Owls have a notable shreee scream, ear-shattering at close range.

Diet

Barn Owls mainly hunt by sound rather than by sight. Barn Owls feed mostly on rodents including rats, mice, gophers, shrews, moles, and voles.

Lilo In Flight

A Guide to Ageing young Barn Owls