A light brown and white colored, long-winged, long-legged owl with a short squarish tail, measuring up to 18” in height, with a wingspan up to 44”. White heart-shaped face with black eyes and a bill resembling a nose. The Head and upper body are light browns with dark gray feathers.

How To Attract Barn Owls: One of the most effective ways to attract barn owls is to position well-built owl houses near their food source. Agricultural activities often attract barn owl food sources like voles, mice, and other various prey.

Generally nocturnal sometimes crepuscular; may emerge at dusk or may be active at dawn, rarely seen in flight during full daylight. Flight is noiseless with wing beats interrupted by gliding.

Usual call is a drawn-out rasping screech. Courtship call of male is shrill repetitive twittering. Adults returning to nest may give low, frog-like croak. When surprised in its nest, makes hissing, rasping and snapping sounds made by clicking the tongue.

Barn Owl is the most voracious and efficient hunter of small ground mammals: gophers, voles, field mice, shrews and rats. Other prey may include baby rabbits, bats, frogs, lizards, birds and insects. It hunts by flying low and listening for emerging prey. Family of Barn Owls may consume up to 3,000 rodents in one year!

Will breed any time during the year depending on food supply; may breed twice with an average brood of 3.5 chicks. Lays 3 to 6 eggs at 2 day intervals. Eggs incubated for 30 to 34 days. Chicks are fledged in 50 to 55 days. Will remain in the vicinity for a week or so to learn hunting skills and then sleep in trees. Young birds are able to breed at about 10 months.

Traditional nests: Tree hollows, old buildings, caves and well shafts are disappearing. However, if safe homes are provided and food is available, the population can grow rapidly.

Unfortunately, average life expectancy is 18-24 months. About 60% die in their first year of life. Among the causes: poor choice of nests – chicks fall out or predators can access. Modern obstacles also include power wires, and moving objects like vehicles, railroad cars, etc.