Barn Owl
Barn Owl Information
Length: 14 - 20"
Habitat: Open or semi-open country such as farmland, meadows, marshland, and residential areas. Prefers habitat at low elevations. Requires trees with natural cavities or man-made structures (such as barns) for nesting.
Diet: Mainly rodents, including voles, mice, and rats. Some birds, large insects, frogs, lizards, and snakes.
Sounds and calls of the Barn Owl
Additional Information
Barn OwlDescription, distribution, behavior, diet, reproduction, predators, lifespan, and conservation status. Includes photos and range map. (From Wikipedia)
Barn Owl
© J. Vallee
Barn Owl
Identification Tips
- Wingspan: 44 inches
- Large, nocturnal, predatory bird
- Large, rounded head
- Pale facial disks with dark frame
- Tawny and gray upperparts with small black and white spots
- White underparts with scattered dark spots
- Sexes similar
- Sometimes found in barns and silos
The Barn Owl is easily distinguished from other owls by its face pattern. In flight, it lacks dark wrist marks found in Long-eared and Short-eared Owls.
(Credit: U. S. Geological Survey)
Barn Owl
Range Maps from Cornell
Barn Owl
year-round range
Includes separate map of sightings.
Barn Owl
Christmas Bird Count Map
Historical CBC Map from USGS