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Did you know?

In the wild, many young barn owls do not survive their first year of life. Some scientists think this may be a result of breeding and raising large clutches more than once a year, which uses a lot of energy. Barn owl pairs typically stay together as long as both members of the pair are alive. They do not create a nest; rather they deposit the eggs in manmade structures such as towers, barns, etc. - often using the site year after year. Farmers and ranchers are increasingly attracted to the barn owl's ability to control rodents better than traps, poison, or cats. A single barn owl offspring is able to consume 25,000 mice a year. They are often seen in barns and agricultural fields which provide them with ample hunting sites. During the day they find an enclosed area in an old building, hollow tree, or hole in a rocky cliff and sleep away the afternoon. Barn owls hunt at night, and although they have very good vision, they rely mostly on their sense of hearing.

Did you know?

Owl ears are located one higher than the other, increasing sound reception. During flight, the left ear captures sounds below while the right ear focuses on sounds from above. In addition, their face feathers create a disc, which works to trap and focus sound. Researchers found that in total blackness the barn owl is still able to find the smallest of prey because of their excellent hearing. Owls’ eyes look forward in a fixed position and cannot move from side to side, as the human eye can. In order to see peripherally, the owl must turn its entire head. It is a myth that owls can turn their head all the way around. Owls have 14 neck vertebrae, allowing them to move their head 270 degrees. Barn owls have a serrated comb on the middle toes claw. So far, scientists believe this to be a grooming adaptation. Most owls have unique, comb like feathers that allow for silent flight. The leading edge is "fringed" so that the feathers, when moving, do not make noise when rubbing together.


 

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