![]() Still, some 20-30 seem to be worthy of recognition as long as the species is not split up. SubspeciesĪcross its vast range, the Barn Owl has formed many subspecies, but several are considered to be intergrades between more distinct populations today. It can hiss like a snake to scare away intruders, and when captured or cornered, it throws itself on its back and flails with sharp-taloned feet, making for an effective defense.Īlso given in such situations is a rasp and a clicking snap, produced by the bill or possibly the tongue.It is most recognizable by its “mask-like” face. Males in courtship give a shrill twitter. It instead produces the characteristic shree scream, ear-shattering at close range. Nestlings are covered in white down all over, but the heart-shaped facial disk is visible soon after hatching.Ĭontrary to popular belief, it does not hoot (such calls are made by typical owls, like the Tawny Owl or other Strix). alba of a large subspecies may weigh over 550 g (19.4 oz), while males are typically about 10% lighter. The latter are also larger, as is common for owls.Ī strong female T. On average, within any one population males tend to be less spotted on the underside than females. The toes, as the bill, vary in color their color ranges from pinkish to dark pinkish-grey. The bill varies from pale horn to dark buff, corresponding to the general plumage hue. This does not hold true for European males by contrast, where the spotting varies according to subspecies. It was found that at least in the continental European populations, females with more spotting are healthier on average. The underparts (including the tarsometatarsus feathers) vary from white to reddish buff among the subspecies, and are either mostly unpatterned or bear a varying amount of tiny blackish-brown speckles. The heart-shaped face is usually bright white, but in some subspecies it is browner. Some are purer richer brown instead, and all have fine black-and-white speckles except on the remiges and rectrices, which are light brown with darker bands. Its head and upperparts are a mixture of buff and grey (especially on the forehead and back) feathers in most subspecies. The light face with its peculiar shape and the black eyes give the flying bird an odd and startling appearance, like a flat mask with oversized oblique black eyeslits, the ridge of feathers above the bill somewhat resembling a nose. Tail shape is a way of distinguishing the Barn Owl from true owls when seen in flight, as are the wavering motions and the open dangling feathered legs. Depending on subspecies, it measures about 25–45 cm (9.8–18 in) in overall length, with a wingspan of some 75–110 cm (30–43 in). The Barn Owl is a pale, long-winged, long-legged owl with a short squarish tail. alba is found almost anywhere in the world outside polar and desert regions, as well as all of Asia north of the Alpide belt, most of Indonesia, and the Pacific islands. While all this may be warranted, such a move is generally eschewed pending further information on Barn Owl phylogeography. Also, some island subspecies are occasionally treated as distinct species. While this may be warranted, it is not clear between which races to draw the line between the two species. The Barn Owls from the Indopacific region are sometimes separated as Eastern Barn-owl, Australian Barn-owl or Delicate Barn-owl ( T. alba, and by some authors its Lesser Antilles populations insularis and nigrescens still are. glaucops) was for some time included in T. Scopoli in 1769, literally means “white owl”, from the onomatopoetic Ancient Greek tyto (τυτο) for an owl-compare English “hooter”-and Latin alba, “white”. ![]() Sometimes they are also called monkey-faced owls because of their appearance. His barn owl photos can be viewed on this page. Related Web Resources: Owl Information … Index of Owl Species … Photos of Various Owl Species for IdentificationĪ young family of barnowls was photographed by 1SG Douglas W McNeil while stationed in Iraq (FOB Delta). “Hissing Owl” and, particularly in the USA, “screech owl” refer to the piercing calls of these birds, but the latter term usually refers to typical owls of the genus Megascops. “Golden Owl” might also refer to the related Golden Masked Owl ( T. It is known by many other names, which may refer to the appearance, call, habitat or the eerie, silent flight: White Owl, Silver Owl, Demon Owl, Ghost Owl, Death Owl, Night Owl, Rat Owl, Church Owl, Cave Owl, Stone Owl, Monkey-faced Owl, Hissing Owl, Hobgoblin or Hobby Owl, Dobby Owl, Golden Owl, Scritch Owl, Screech Owl, Straw Owl, Barnyard Owl and Delicate Owl. These form one of two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical owls (Strigidae). ![]() ![]() It is also referred to as Common Barn Owl, to distinguish it from other species in the barn-owl family Tytonidae. The Barn Owl ( Tyto alba) is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds.
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