Barn Owl profile

This is a profile image of a North American Barn owl.

facts about Barn Owls (Tyto alba):

Appearance: Barn Owls are medium-sized owls... more

by Flees Photos

Title

Barn Owl profile

Artist

Flees Photos

Medium

Photograph - Home Decor And Giclee Wall Art By Chris Flees

Description

This is a profile image of a North American Barn owl.

facts about Barn Owls (Tyto alba):

Appearance: Barn Owls are medium-sized owls with a wingspan of about 39 to 49 inches (100 to 125 centimeters) and a length of approximately 13 to 15 inches (33 to 39 centimeters). They have a heart-shaped face with white or pale plumage that is beautifully speckled with brown or gray markings. Their wings are long and broad, enabling them to fly silently.

Distribution: Barn Owls have a widespread distribution and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. They inhabit a variety of habitats, including grasslands, agricultural areas, woodlands, marshes, and urban environments. They are particularly well-adapted to open habitats.

Habitat: Barn Owls have a preference for open spaces and are commonly found in farmlands, grasslands, and fields. They typically nest in cavities, such as old barns, buildings, tree hollows, and crevices in cliffs. They are well adapted to human-altered environments and can be found in suburban areas where suitable nesting sites are available.

Diet and Hunting: Barn Owls are superb nocturnal hunters with a diet consisting mainly of small mammals. They primarily feed on rodents, such as mice, voles, shrews, and rats. They have exceptional hearing and specialized facial features that help them locate prey in complete darkness. They fly low and silently over fields and use their keen hearing to pinpoint the movements of their prey.

Vocalizations: Barn Owls produce a variety of vocalizations. Their most famous call is a characteristic screeching or hissing sound often described as a "shreee" or "screeee" sound. They use these vocalizations for communication between mates, territorial defense, and to communicate with their young.

Reproduction: Barn Owls are monogamous and typically mate for life. They breed during the spring and summer months. The female lays a clutch of 4 to 7 white eggs, usually laid at intervals, with incubation lasting about 29 to 34 days. Both parents participate in raising the young owlets, and the family group is known as a "clutch."

Conservation Status: The conservation status of Barn Owls varies regionally. They are not globally threatened but may face localized threats. Habitat loss, reduction of suitable nesting sites, and the use of pesticides that impact their prey populations are among the challenges they may encounter. Conservation efforts focus on providing nesting opportunities and maintaining suitable habitat for these owls.

Behavior: Barn Owls are primarily nocturnal, hunting and flying during the night. They are well-known for their silent flight, which is facilitated by specialized wing feathers that reduce turbulence and noise. They are solitary birds, but they may roost and nest in loose colonies, especially where suitable nesting sites are limited.

Barn Owls are iconic birds with their distinctive appearance and adaptability to various environments. They play a beneficial role in controlling rodent populations, making them valuable for pest control in agricultural areas.

This image is © Chris Flees all rights reserved

Uploaded

June 16th, 2014