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Tyto alba
Medium sized, brown and gray owl with white underside. The feathers have dark spots all over. The face is white with a dark, almost a heart shape outline. This owl is primarily nocturnal and hunts small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects. The Barn Owl population has increased in recent years, thanks in part to all of the Owl boxes build by so many people. Unfortunately many people are erecting these boxes near busy roads and when the Owls hunt prey crossing the road, they get hit. Please place the Owl Boxes away from busy roads :)
Captive, rehabilitated bird used for educational purposes. "The barn owl is the most widespread landbird species in the world, occurring in every continent except Antarctica."
This was part of Hawk Watch 2015 by the Wildlife Research Institute. The birds were from The Raptor Institute.
19 Comments
Congrats Cindy, your lovely Barn Owl has made the top 10 bird spottings in the '2015 Best Wildlife Photo' mission! Rangers are voting on the top 10 bird spottings, and the top 3 will be announced on February 1st. The top 3 spottings will be commented on here on the site, but make sure you keep a look out on our Facebook app page for the announcement as well! Congratulations on making the top 10! https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah
Thank you very much MaxMacLennan!
Amazing photos!
Thank you James and venusflytrap2000!
excellent series, cindy!
Cindy, great shot! Based upon your spottings, we have similar interests. I am following you.
Thank you for your comments, Crasher and Desmond.E.S.O. These birds are lovely!
Beautiful!
My mothers grandma loves them
Thank you for your comment, Bhagya!
lovely ....
Thank you for your comment outsidegirl0. They are beautiful birds!
so cute! (love it!)
That sure is good to hear! Thank you for your comment, Dave. It's important for everyone to know the trials and successes regarding wildlife around the world. Hopefully increased awareness will lead to increased action!
Great to hear Dave. It's good to see many of the changes happening to the north.
I was surprised to find the barn owl in Indonesia, but there it was. Unfortunately, it was being traded on the captive pet market. Very sad.
There are also breeding programs, that introduce the barn owls to farmers, to keep down the population of rodents that can cause havoc. But, then the local entrepreneurs sneak into the fields and raid the nests for the cute chicks to sell.
There is a lot wrong in Indonesia, but they are starting to get some things right. They have clamped down heavily on the pet trade and I don't see nearly as much as I did ten or more years ago.
Dave
Thank you Karen and Mark!
Another super spotting.
stunning shot