Barn Owls are common, yet fascinating, creatures. They sleep during the day and are active at night, they’re stealthy hunters, and have extremely acute hearing. They stand apart from other owls and birds of prey, and deserve a closer examination. Luckily, we’ve gathered 20 interesting facts about Barn Owls you may not know about!
20 interesting facts about Barn Owls
There’s something intriguing about Barn Owls. Their pale plumage and large, completely dark eyes give them a mysterious and somewhat creepy appearance — especially at night. They can be hard observe, too, due to their nocturnal behavior, but there are a few things we know about them for sure. For interesting facts about Barn Owls, and to learn all about these unique birds, look no further.
Keep on reading to learn more about these graceful, nighttime predators.
1. Barn Owls are found around the world
Barn Owls are the most widespread species of owl and of one of the most widespread types of birds in general. They are found all across the globe, in every continent except for Antarctica. In North America, they’re found throughout most of the United States and Mexico and in some sections of Canada.
2. Barn Owls live in all sorts of habitats
One of the reasons Barn Owls are able to survive in most parts of the world is because of their adaptability in a diverse range of habitats. The only places they aren’t able to endure are areas like the arctic, where the cold climate is too extreme, and there aren’t enough sources of food. However, Barn Owls thrive in most wooded habitats with open spaces for hunting, as well as farmlands, groves, marshes, prairies, and deserts.
3. Barn Owls really do like barns
There’s a reason these birds are called “barn” owls. Quiet barns on wide open farmland are the perfect places for Barn Owls to build their nests, so they’re likely to take shelter in one. Barns are great protection from the weather and predators, and farmland also offers a main food source for the owls — rodents.