Known by many other names, including Common Barn Owl, White Owl, Silver Owl, Ghost Owl, Dobby Owl, Straw Owl and Delicate Owl.
This bird is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. T. alba is found almost anywhere in the world except polar and desert regions, Asia north of the Alpide belt, most of Indonesia, and the Pacific islands. The Barn Owl inhabits open country such as farmland or grassland with some interspersed woodland.
Measuring 25-45cm in overall length with a wingspan of 75-110cm, the light face with its heart shape and the black eyes give the flying bird an odd and startling appearance.
The Barn Owl has a high metabolism rate compared to other owls of the same size. It feeds primarily on small vertebrates, particularly rodents, making it a valuable wildlife animal to farmers. Habitation in barns is encouraged by providing access to cavities, such as attics, which the Barn Owl likes to breed in. They do not build a nest in the strict sense, rather just scrape together some debris in the cavity. Away from human activity, the Barn Owl nests in tree hollows, occasionally nesting in mine shafts and caves.
Contrary to popular belief, it does not hoot (such calls are made by typical owls, like the Tawny Owl or other Strix). It instead produces the characteristic shree scream, ear-shattering at close range. Males in courtship give a shrill twitter. 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. Also given in such situations is a rasp and a clicking snap, produced by the bill or possibly the tongue.
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