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Entrez Taxonomy
The Barn Owl (Tyto alba) is an owl in the barn owl family Tytonidae.
This is one of the two groups of owls, the other being the typical
owls Strigidae. (Any member of the family Tytonidae is sometimes
referred to as a Barn Owl.)
These are pale, long-winged, long-legged owls, 33-39 cm in length
with an 80-95 cm wingspan. They have an effortless wavering flight
as they quarter pastures or similar hunting grounds.
There are a number of races differing in underpart colour. For
example, T. a. alba of western Europe is almost pure white below,
but T.a. guttata of central Europe is orange. All races have grey
and ochre upperparts.
These are birds of open country such as farmland, preferentially
hunting along the edges of woods. They are fairly sedentary and
nocturnal or crepuscular.
Barn Owls occur worldwide, on every continent except Antarctica.
Sometimes they are called monkey-faced owls because of their
appearance. Other common names are church owl, golden owl, rat owl,
and stone owl.
Barn Owls feed on voles, frogs and insects, but are economically
valuable birds as they also prey on animal pests like rats, shrews,
moles and mice.
Other than human persecution, they have few predators, although
large owls such as the Eurasian Eagle Owl and the Great Horned Owl
will kill smaller species if the opportunity arises. Farmers often
encourage Barn Owl habitations for rodent control by providing nest
sites such a wooden nest box or a large drum installed sideways in a
barn. An adult Barn Owl will eat approximately 3 mice per day. A
pair raising 3-5 owlets will consume many more rodents.
Barn Owls have a notable shreee scream, ear-shattering at close
range. They also hiss like steam kettles. When captured or cornered,
they throw themselves on their backs and flail with sharp-taloned
feet, an effective defence. Contrary to popular belief, they do not
make the call "tu-whit to-whoo".
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