Common name: Barn Owl, Spirit Owl
Scientific name: Tyto alba pratincola
Identifying characteristics:
Medium-large in comparison with other North American owls, the Barn Owl has a large head without ear tufts and its face is long, somewhat triangular, and heart-shaped. Its legs are quite long and it may look knock-kneed when perched. The wings are quite expansive, causing it to look much larger than its average of one pound. The face and underside are white, giving it the reputation of being a ghost because of looking all white when flying overhead. The back of the body, wings and tail are generally tawny, marked with gray to black speckling.
Range:
The Barn Owl is the most widely distributed nocturnal bird in the world, populating most of the world's major land areas.
Habitat:
Probably no other owl lives so close to man and is less often seen. The Barn Owl will roost on buildings, in barns, deer blinds, billboards, water towers or other manmade structures as well as trees in open areas.
Nesting:
They may nest in deep hollows in trees, or in any of the habitations they frequent. Four to seven eggs constitute a clutch, and are laid two days apart. Incubation begins when the first egg is laid, so there may be a two week age span represented in the hatchlings, putting the youngest at a real disadvantage.
Feeding habits:
Mice and rats make up the vast majority of the diet, though large insects, small birds, reptiles, or amphibians may be included. One barn owl may take up to 2000 items of prey a year, making them a valuable resource for the agricultural community.
Conservation status:
Maintaining reasonable numbers in Texas, but endangered in several other states.
