Barn Owl

Scientific name: Tyto alba

Barn owls are medium sized birds with large wings and a lightweight body. They have large eyes and a distinct white face. Generally speaking, females have darker plumage (feathers) and males tend to be lighter coloured.

The barn owl is well-adapted for hunting at night. They have a concave collection of feathers on their face (called a facial disk) which funnels sound into their ears, increasing their ability to hear prey. In addition, they have soft feathers which muffle sound so they can fly in total silence.

Barn owls usually breed in the spring. However, breeding may be delayed if the weather conditions are bad. They usually produce 4 to 6 eggs in a clutch - although they have been known to produce up to 12 eggs. The owlets will fledge (leave the nest) at around 50 days. Sadly, the majority of young owls will perish within the first year. 

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