Barn Owls are one of five native species of owl in the UK – but what more is there to know about this stunning species?
Barn Owls predominantly hunt between dusk and dawn, slowly quartering fields in search of their favoured prey item – the short tailed field vole. These silent predators have notable facial disks, which aid them in sound detection.
Breeding usually just once per year – but sometimes twice – in the spring, they will lay 2-6 eggs per year, but only about 25% of young barn owl chicks will likely live through their first year in the wild. In fact it isn’t uncommon to see barn owl chicks predate one another if food supply runs thin!
This species is affected heavily by land use change, and one we are working to protect through our cavity nesting species programme. You can read more about our projects in conservation here, or make a donation.
So – what are our Barn Owl fun facts?
- Barn Owls have asymmetric ears – with the left ear slightly lower and angled downward, they can work out distance very effectively by the difference in time taken to reach the right ear from the left!
- They have zygodactyl feet – meaning they have two toes facing forward, one facing backward and one that can switch between the two!
- They can actually successfully hunt with no light source at all – their hearing is that good!
- To keep that facial disk in good order, they have one talon with an inbuilt combe specialised for preening it.
5. Each night, they need to catch between 3 and 4 small mammals to stay fit and healthy.
6. They can have a wingspan of up to four feet wide!
7. The bright white plumage aids their hunting, as they use it to reflect the moonlight and actually stun their prey!
8. They are one of the most monitored species by conservationists in the UK
9. They love to nest in nest boxes installed by people – infact 70% of the British Barn Owl population depend on nest boxes for breeding.
10. Barn owls don’t hoot – but in fact much prefer to screech!
Our two Barn Owls Ozzie and Ghost are firm favourites in our Owl Encounter experiences – and one Owl Encounter actually funds the installation of one Nest Box for a wild family of Barn Owls!
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