Bird 🦉
🦉
Tyto alba
| Size | 33–39 cm About the size of a large city pigeon |
|---|---|
| Weight | 250–350 g About the weight of a can of beans |
| Lifespan | 4 years |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| M vs F | Females are slightly larger and may have faint brownish spotting on their otherwise white undersides |
| Habitat | Open farmland, rough grassland, woodland edges, old buildings and barns |
| Best time | Autumn and winter (visible hunting at dusk) |
| Conservation | UK: Green LC |
Did you know?
Barn owls can locate prey entirely by sound in complete darkness — their asymmetric ear placement gives them 3D hearing like built-in sonar
Barn owls can locate prey entirely by sound in complete darkness — their asymmetric ear placement gives them 3D hearing like built-in sonar
More for experts
Their heart-shaped facial disc acts as a parabolic reflector, funnelling sound to the ears; they can detect a vole rustling under 30 cm of snow
Often confused with
Tawny Owl (brown, round face), Short-eared Owl (streaky brown, flat face, flies by day)
Tawny Owl (brown, round face), Short-eared Owl (streaky brown, flat face, flies by day)