The Barn Owl
by Marci RanzerInformation on Common Barn Owls
The Barn Owl is a particular species of Owls belonging to the land bird family. Accordingly, the common Barn Owl acquires its name due to the fact that it is most often found nesting in barn lofts and silos. However, some dwell in trees, caves, and wells. They may also reside in woodland areas and forests. The Barn Owl is also referred to as the Ghost Owl, Church Owl, White Owl and Barnyard Owl.
Classification of the Owl
White Owl is another name for the Barn Owl because they are usually of white or pale color. They are often light grey on their upperparts with scattered black spots or fine black lines. However, some are almost entirely white and some groups are even orange in color. Their beaks are a whitish color and their feet are usually yellow, white or brown. Their faces are similar to the shape of a heart and their faces have also been compared to monkeys.
Barn Owls reside in a vast array of locations. They exist in most areas in Europe as well as parts of North and South America, Asia and Africa. The number of Barn Owls located in a particular area is for the most part according to appropriate nesting sights and the availability of substantial prey.
In size the owls range from 32 centimeters to 40 centimeters. The male birds are usually smaller than the female. Their wingspan reaches as large as 110 centimeters. They are considered to be of medium size compared to other owls.
The Barn Owls do not make a “hoot” sound that is so commonly associated with owls. These owls make a loud grating hiss as their means of communicating and courtship of other Owls. The sounds they make are often called “bill snapping.”
How Barn Owls Fly
When these particular Owls fly, they glide through the air without any visible effort. While in flight they do not make any noise. Their flight feathers have special soft edges to which serve as silencers. Their wings are particularly large and support the bird so easily that there is no need for any vigorous or noisy flapping.
Hunting for Prey
Hunting is the common Barn Owls’ area of expertise. Their prey includes such kill as bats, mice, frogs, other birds, insects and rats. While hunting, they do not rely on speed; they rely on a slow and silent approach in pursuing their prey. They hunt primarily using sound as opposed to sight. They can even detect the movement of their prey using their incredible hearing. The Owl has an advantage during hunting because of their ability to fly in silence through the trees. They can listen acutely for the telltale squeak of unwary victims due to how barn owls fly, in particular their virtually soundless flight. They catch their prey with their claws therefore it is easiest to grab small victims. The Barn Owl is normally nocturnal. They hunt after dark and are able to find their way through the night because of their highly sensitive eyes and ears.
