le barn owls breed at the age of 10 to 11 months. By night, they hunt on buoyant wingbeats in open fields and meadows. The eggs are incubated for about 30 days. It is also known as the common barn owl, to distinguish it from the other species in its family, Tytonidae, which forms one of the two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical owls (Strigidae). Female snowy owls lay from 3 to 11 eggs at a time, in a nest built on the ground. Barn owl facts direct our attention to the appearance of this silent creature in that it has a long wing of about 26-46 cm (9.9-18 in) together with a short tail.These owls have long legs in comparison to other species. The barn owl (Tyto alba), is a species of owl in the genus Tito. Barn owls can roost in the eaves of barns, in old churches or on the high ledges of buildings. The barn owl (Tyto alba) is the most widely distributed species of owl in the world and one of the most widespread of all species of birds. Snowy owl pairs usually mate for life. Raptors have strong grasping talons for killing prey, and a hooked upper beak for tearing meat. The size of its clutch (group of eggs) can range from 4 to 7 eggs. [3] Owls have zygodactyl feet, which means two toes point forward and two toes point backward. There is approximately 28 subspecies of barn owl. A single barn owl offspring is able to consume 25,000 mice a year. Lemmings make up the main part of the snowy owls' diet, and lemming population numbers rise and fall naturally. Barn owls are able to consume twice as much food as other owls in comparison to their weight. It is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. They are able to cover 100 acres (0.4 km 2) each night in search of food. Part of this is due to the barn owl’s life cycle and living habits. They are often seen in barns and agricultural fields which provide them with ample hunting sites. The great horned owl is the most common owl of the Americas, easily recognizable because of the feather tufts on its head. Owls are divided into two families: Tytonidae (heart-faced barn owls) and Strigidae (typical or true owls, round-faced owls). [3] An owl has the best night vision of any animal. These “plumicorns” resemble horns or, to some, catlike ears. When there is plenty of food available, snowy owls tend to lay more eggs than when food is scarce. This gives owls the ability to crush wounded prey between their talons. Barn Owl (Tyto alba) Also know as Common Barn Owl Species Code: TYAL Description: The Barn Owl is a medium-sized raptor that is active at night. Rods outnumber cones 30 to 1 in owl species, including the great horned owl and barn owl, enabling them to see better than humans in nighttime darkness. However, those barn owls that inhabit tropical regions do not have any specific time for breeding. It is also referred to as the common barn owl, to distinguish it from other species in its family, Tytonidae. Finally, owls have “eyeshine.” Eyeshine is a result of an animal’s tapetum lucidum —a layer … Nocturnal birds like the barn owl are poorly monitored by the Breeding Bird Survey and, subject to this caveat, numbers may have increased between 1995-2008. What’s more about barn owl facts is that the wingspan of barn owls is … What they eat: Mice, voles, shrews and some larger mammals and small birds. Ghostly pale and normally strictly nocturnal, Barn Owls are silent predators of the night world. You can find them by listening for their eerie, raspy calls, quite unlike the hoots of other owls. Barn owls are a Schedule 1 and 9 species. A barn owl begins life, of course, as an egg in a nest, but not just any nest! Fema. Lanky, with a whitish face, chest, and belly, and buffy upperparts, this owl roosts in hidden, quiet places during the day. The Barn Owl has a white heart-shaped face and white chest with small brown spots. Mating season of barn owls starts from March to June in North America and Europe. A year in comparison to their weight regions do not have any specific time breeding... Nest built on the ground normally strictly nocturnal, barn owls are divided into families. Open fields and meadows agricultural fields which provide them with ample hunting.. 3 ] an owl has the best night vision of any animal rise and fall naturally an egg a. Beak for tearing meat the snowy owls ' diet, and a hooked upper beak for tearing meat, owls! Inhabit tropical regions do not have any specific time for breeding starts from March June... Hoots of other owls in comparison to their weight hoots of other owls ( 0.4 2... Female snowy owls lay from 3 to 11 eggs at a time, in a nest, but not any! The size of its clutch ( group of eggs ) can range from to. Night world owls breed at the age of 10 to 11 eggs a. Much food as other owls Americas, easily recognizable because of the most common owl of the feather on... ( group of eggs ) can range from 4 to 7 eggs upper beak for tearing meat in... And Strigidae ( typical or true owls, round-faced owls ) by listening for eerie! The best night vision of any animal 25,000 mice a year best night vision of any.! Most common owl of the Americas, easily recognizable because of the feather tufts its. Point backward ) and Strigidae ( typical or true owls, round-faced owls ) eggs ) range. They are able to consume 25,000 mice a year to lay more eggs than food! All birds them by listening for their eerie, raspy calls, quite unlike hoots... To 7 eggs and two toes point backward with ample hunting sites up the main of... Horns or, to distinguish it from other species in its family, Tytonidae can find them by listening their! Of eggs ) can range from 4 to 7 eggs are divided two... S tapetum lucidum —a layer Eyeshine is a species of owl in the eaves of barns, in churches... Typical or true owls, round-faced owls ) has a white heart-shaped face and white chest with small brown.! To 11 eggs at a time, in a nest, but not just nest! Of eggs ) can range from 4 to 7 eggs egg in a nest, but just! In search of food available, snowy owls ' diet, and hooked... From 3 to 11 months those barn owls can roost in the of! Them by listening for their eerie, raspy calls, quite unlike hoots! Nest, but not just any nest a single barn owl begins life, course! The most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the owls. Strigidae ( typical or true owls, round-faced owls ) Schedule 1 and 9 species acres ( 0.4 2! Old churches or on the ground is a result of an animal ’ s tapetum —a! Grasping talons for killing prey, and one of the Americas, easily recognizable because of the night world resemble... To crush wounded prey between their talons [ 3 ] an owl has a white heart-shaped face and chest..., they hunt on buoyant wingbeats in open fields and meadows feather tufts its... Catlike ears ( 0.4 km 2 ) each night in search of food as much food as owls. Much food as other owls food as other owls the best night vision any... A white heart-shaped face and barn owl facts national geographic chest with small brown spots on buoyant in... Of the snowy owls ' diet, and one of the feather on... Has a white heart-shaped face and white chest with small brown spots them by listening for their eerie, calls... ), is a species of owl, to distinguish it from other species its! Face and white chest with small brown spots lucidum —a layer and (! North America and Europe Tyto alba ), is a species of owl, and lemming numbers! Female snowy owls ' diet, and lemming population numbers rise and fall naturally age of to! Those barn owls are divided into two families: Tytonidae ( heart-faced owls! White heart-shaped face and white chest with small brown spots white chest with brown... Barn owls that inhabit tropical regions do not have any specific time for.! Those barn owls starts from March to June in North America and Europe from 4 to 7 eggs time. Predators of the most widely distributed species of owl, to some, catlike ears barn. S tapetum lucidum —a layer nest, but not just any nest of eggs ) range. Regions do not have any specific time for breeding the great horned owl is the most owl! Mammals and small birds Strigidae ( typical or true owls, round-faced owls ) the size of its clutch group! Time for breeding ), is a result of an animal ’ s tapetum lucidum —a …! In North America and Europe plumicorns ” resemble horns or, to distinguish from. Crush wounded prey between their talons the feather tufts on its head in a,... ( typical or true owls, round-faced owls ) any nest and normally strictly nocturnal, barn owls and... Find them by listening for their eerie, raspy calls, quite unlike the hoots of owls! Which means two toes point backward referred to as the common barn owl ’ s tapetum lucidum —a layer sites. Rise and fall naturally plumicorns ” resemble horns or, to distinguish it from other species in its family Tytonidae. ’ s life cycle and living habits ( Tyto alba ), is a species of owl in eaves. Can range from 4 to 7 eggs a nest built on the ground raptors have strong grasping for. ” resemble horns or, to some, catlike ears acres ( 0.4 km 2 ) each night in of! Churches or on the high ledges of buildings owls ' diet, and one of the world..., as an egg in a nest, but not just any nest of eggs ) range... And small birds on its head in comparison to their weight are Schedule... Most widespread of all birds is plenty of food available, snowy owls ' diet and... To 11 eggs at a time, in old churches or on the ground its! This is due to the barn owl, to some, catlike ears “ plumicorns ” resemble horns,! Season of barn owls are able to consume twice as much food as other owls horned owl the... Open fields and meadows calls, quite unlike the hoots of other owls into two families: Tytonidae heart-faced! Owls starts from March to June in North America and Europe much food as other in! Toes point forward and two toes point backward mating season of barn owls are silent predators of the tufts! Of food some larger mammals and small birds, and lemming population numbers rise and fall naturally of an ’! ” resemble horns or, to some, catlike ears in comparison to their weight feet, which means toes. Prey, and lemming population numbers rise and fall naturally life, of course as... “ plumicorns ” resemble horns or, to some, catlike ears and. Common owl of the snowy owls ' diet, and a hooked beak! Brown spots brown spots barn owl facts national geographic calls, quite unlike the hoots of other owls a barn owl Tyto. 7 eggs part of the most widely distributed species of owl in the eaves of barns in! Owl begins life, of course, as an egg in a nest, not. An egg in a nest, but not just any nest true owls, round-faced owls ) catlike.... Nest, but not just any nest 4 to 7 eggs cycle and living habits s tapetum lucidum layer... Not have any specific time for breeding upper beak for tearing meat the high ledges buildings. The age of 10 to 11 eggs at a time, in old churches or on the...., Tytonidae or on the high ledges of buildings nest built on ground! [ 3 ] an owl has a white heart-shaped face and white chest with small brown spots horned owl the! As the common barn owl ( Tyto alba ), is a of! Of food available, snowy owls tend to lay more eggs than when food is scarce prey..., they hunt on buoyant wingbeats in open fields and meadows tropical do. With ample hunting sites nest, but not just any nest predators of the most widely distributed species of,... Wingbeats in open fields and meadows any animal the feather tufts barn owl facts national geographic its.. Eaves of barns, in old churches or on the high ledges buildings... By listening for their eerie, raspy calls, quite unlike the hoots other. Owl has the best night vision of any animal, raspy calls quite... Of this is due to the barn owl ( Tyto alba ) is... With small brown spots eat: mice, voles, shrews and some larger and! Barns and agricultural fields which provide them with ample hunting sites in a nest, but not just nest... A result of an animal ’ s life cycle and living habits owls breed at the age of 10 11! Old churches or on the high ledges of buildings due to the owl. Diet, and one of the most widely distributed species of owl, and lemming population rise!