Barn owl

The barn owl (Tyto alba) is a much loved bird of the British countryside, and indeed of many other parts of the world. It has claims to be among the most widely distributed bird species, and certainly holds this status among the owls. In Britain its numbers appear to be recovering after a period of decline. It is found throughout England and Wales and parts of Scotland and Ireland.

The barn owl’s preferred habitat is open countryside with trees and buildings. It can often be seen flying along field margins, riverbanks and roadside verges.

In recent years, barn owls have moved into towns, especially where open parks and cemeteries provide nesting and feeding opportunities.

Appearance

The barn owl is one of the most distinctive birds, with its heart-shaped face and pure white underparts. It is around 35 centimetres (13.5 inches) in length with a wingspan of some 80 centimetres (31.5 inches). The plumage is orange-buff above with grey mottling. The white underparts are sometimes tinged with buff and marked with dark spots. The spots and mottling are more frequent with female barn owls, although, generally speaking, males and females look alike.

The barn owl’s eyes are small and black, forming a contrast with the white face. The wings taper and the tail is short. The legs are quite long for an owl.

Behaviour

The barn owl is mainly nocturnal, often being seen at dusk as it starts to hunt. However, it will also hunt during the daytime when feeding its young and during the winter. Its flight is wavering and mainly silent, with the wingtips almost meeting on the downbeat.

When agitated it will lower its head, moving it to and fro as it perches.

The barn owl is mostly solitary and roosts in buildings, holes in trees and among rocks. It will stay in the same area throughout the year, although migration in search of food is not unknown in severe winters.

The call is a shrill, draw-out shriek, often uttered in flight, and it also has a variety of hisses, snorts and chirrups. Many people, walking at night, have had the disturbing experience of a barn owl shrieking unexpectedly out of the darkness and swooping just above their head.

Breeding behaviour

Barn owls can raise clutches at any time between March and November and, if the food supply is good, will raise as many as three broods in a year.

The nest is little more than a few pieces of plant material or animal hair gathered in a convenient site such as a roof space, a tree hollow or a rock crevice. The male will select a site and then entice a female to it. Clutch sizes can vary a lot, but four to seven eggs is common. Incubation is by the female, for up to 32 days, with the male feeding her at the nest. When they hatch, the young are fed by their parents until they fledge, which can be for a period as long as 60 days. The young will then scatter into the surrounding area.

Feeding

Barn owls hunt mainly for small mammals such as mice, voles and shrews. However, they will also take small birds, bats, amphibians and large insects. Hunting is by flying low over places where prey is likely to be found and hovering until the moment is right to strike. Alternatively, barn owls will swoop from vantage points such as posts or tree branches. They have excellent hearing and rely on this more than sight to hunt at night. They are therefore able to pounce on prey that is hidden under grass cover or even snow.

Barn owls have a relatively high metabolic rate and so therefore need to maintain a high strike rate.

Preservation status

The barn owl has amber status in the United Kingdom, due to loss of habitat, and even poisoning, in the past and threats to its food supply from modern agricultural practices. However, the bird’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances, plus public awareness, should ensure that its numbers continue to recover.

© John Welford