Barn owl (Tyto alba)

by Dick Hoogenboom

The barn owl (Tyto alba) is a widespread species of owl that prefers to breed in attics, towers and churches. The species is also known as the common barn owl, to distinguish it from other species in the barn owl family (Tytonidae). It can be recognised by its heart-shaped, white facial disc and light plumage. The barn owl is found almost everywhere in the world, except in the poles, desert areas and certain parts of Asia.

The barn owl is a typical nocturnal bird, but in some parts of its range it also hunts during the day. Barn owls specialise in catching small mammals, which they locate by sound. They breed several times during the year, depending on their location. The clutch, which consists of four eggs on average, is usually incubated in an old building, a hollow tree or a cliff. The female and the young chicks depend on the male for food. When food is plentiful, barn owl populations can grow rapidly; worldwide, the bird is considered a species of least concern in terms of conservation.

Phylogenetic research shows that there are at least three genetically distinct subpopulations of the barn owl, one in Europe, one in Asia, and one in America. For this reason, the species is divided into the western barn owl for the group in Europe, Western Asia and Africa, the eastern barn owl for the group in Southeast Asia and Australia, and the American barn owl for the group in America. In many countries (including the Netherlands and Belgium), the barn owl is a protected species.