Barn owls (Tytonidae)
Barn Owl
Tyto alba. Voles and mice, located by hearing alone.
Barn owls (Tytonidae)Barn OwlTyto alba
- Scientific name
- Tyto alba
- Length
- 12.6–15.8 in
- Weight
- 14.1–24.7 oz
- Nest
- Barn lofts, silos, tree cavities and large nest boxes
- Entrance hole
- 6 in
- Clutch
- 2–18 eggs
- Incubation
- 29–34 days
- Broods
- 1–3 per season
Identification
- Pale, heart-shaped white face
- Golden-buff back speckled with grey
- Dark eyes and long pale legs
Voice
A blood-curdling, rasping shriek — not a hoot.
Diet and feeding
Voles and mice, located by hearing alone.
Barn Owls by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | December |
| Arizona | Year-round resident | December |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | January–December |
| British Columbia | Year-round resident | February–December |
| California | Year-round resident | December |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | January–December |
| Florida | Year-round resident | December |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | December |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | January–December |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | January–December |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | January–December |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | January–December |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | December |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | January–December |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | December |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | January–December |
| Nebraska | Year-round resident | January–December |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | January–December |
| New Mexico | Year-round resident | January–December |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | January–December |
| North Dakota | Year-round resident | February–December |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | January–December |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | January–December |
| Oregon | Year-round resident | January–December |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | December |
| South Dakota | Year-round resident | January–December |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | January–December |
| Texas | Year-round resident | December |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | January–December |
| Washington | Year-round resident | January–December |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | January–December |
Frequently asked
What do barn owls eat?
Voles and mice, located by hearing alone. At feeders: none — a large barn-owl box on a pole or barn is the draw.
How big is a Barn Owl?
12.6–15.8 in long and 14.1–24.7 oz.
Do barn owls use birdhouses?
Yes — a 6 in entrance, 16 × 24 in floor, mounted 10–20 ft.
Sources
- Barn Owl — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Barn Owl life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Barn Owl — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.