20 Interesting Facts About Barn Owls

1. The barn owl, also known as the Common barn owl, is a species of the family Tytonidae (barn owls).
2. Barn owls are the most widely distributed species of owls. They are present everywhere on earth except in Antarctica and Micronesia.
3. Barn owls eat a large number of rodent pests. It makes them more economically valuable compared to artificial methods.
4. The length of barn owls is between 30 and 40 cm (12 to 16 inches). They have a wingspan of around 4 feet.
5. Barn owls have heart-shaped faces without ear tufts. It is the reason that they are sometimes called “monkey-faced owls.”
6. The eyes of barn owls are smaller and dark-colored, different from the large and yellow eyes of other owls.
7. According to an estimate, the global population of Common barn owls is from 4.5 million to more than 9 million. The population trend of barn owls is stable. It is the reason that they are placed at Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
8. Unlike most other owls, barn owls don’t hoot. They produce long, harsh screams for a couple of seconds. Males use a softer call to invite females into the nest, while females do so to ask for food from males. The purpose of a long hissing call is to warn intruders or predators. (Source)
9. Barn owls are most active at dusk and dawn. However, they sometimes hunt at daytime during winters and after rainfall.
10. Barn owls can be of different colors ranging from white to grey or brownish orange. Their colors vary according to their environment, assist them in hunting their prey, and provide protection against predators.
11. Barn owls with white plumage reflect moonlight during full moon, which stuns their prey. It assists them in hunting more successfully on full moon nights compared to owls with red plumage. (Source)
12. Barn owls usually consume small mammals. These include common shrews, wood mice, and field voles.
13. Barn owls are one of few animals that mate for life. Male owls provide extra food to females during the courtship period. (Source)
14. Barn owls can hunt on moonless nights thanks to their strong sense of hearing. Ears are present at different locations, which assists them in hearing sounds simultaneously from above and below. (Source)

    

    Barn owls can live for 4 years in wild and 15 years in captivity

    
    
15. The average lifespan for barn owls in the wild is four years. These owls can live for a maximum of 15 years.
16. Young barn owls make their first flight after 8 to 9 weeks. They become competent flyers after ten weeks. (Source)
17. There are at least 35 subspecies of barn owls in various parts of the world. The highest numbers of barn owl subspecies are present in North America.
18. As compared to many other owl species, barn owls rarely eat chickens. They should be encouraged to roost in barns as they mostly hunt harmful animals.
19. Opossums, common raccoons, and eagles are the main predators of eggs and baby barn owls. Great horned owls and other large species of owls also hunt barn owls.
20. Barn owls host several protozoans along with blood and intestinal parasites. Their nestlings also contain few parasites.