About Barn Owls

The Barn Owl (tyto alba) is a stunning and beautiful native owl. The upper parts of its body, the back and top of the wings, are a tan brown colour with silver grey streaks; the under-parts are white. When flying low over fields in the last light of the day it looks like a large white moth.

Although a small bird, only weighing around 350g, the wing span is around 85cm and enables the bird to glide and sail over grassland with apparent effortless wing beats. The Barn Owl hunts predominantly by hearing its prey in the long grass; it can hunt by sight but its bright colouring puts it at a disadvantage as it is easily seen. Their diet is made up of small mammals, in particular short tailed voles, but it will take shrews and even small rats.

Barn Owls roost and nest in old tree cavities and in old buildings. They will take residence in a variety of man-made nest boxes including tea chests in buildings, boxes mounted in trees and boxes on poles. The breeding season usually starts in April but it can be delayed if the weather conditions are bad. 

There are estimated to be between 3,000 and 5,000 breeding pairs in the UK. Barn Owls can be found throughout the majority of the UK but not at high altitude.

For a lot more information about Barn Owls, their habitat, and what can be done to help them, visit the excellent Barn Owl Trust web sites at the Barn Owl Trust  www.barnowltrust.org.uk and the Barn Owl Conservation Network www.bocn.org