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Barn Owl

Tyto alba

Description:

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 :)

Habitat:

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."

Notes:

This was part of Hawk Watch 2015 by the Wildlife Research Institute. The birds were from The Raptor Institute.

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19 Comments

AshleyT
AshleyT 8 years ago

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!

M.A. Orendan
M.A. Orendan 9 years ago

Amazing photos!

Thank you James and venusflytrap2000!

CalebSteindel
CalebSteindel 9 years ago

excellent series, cindy!

Jim Nelson
Jim Nelson 9 years ago

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!

Desmond.E.S.O
Desmond.E.S.O 9 years ago

Beautiful!

Crasher
Crasher 9 years ago

My mothers grandma loves them


Thank you for your comment, Bhagya!

Bhagya Herath
Bhagya Herath 9 years ago

lovely ....

Thank you for your comment outsidegirl0. They are beautiful birds!

outsidegirl0
outsidegirl0 9 years ago

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!

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 9 years ago

Great to hear Dave. It's good to see many of the changes happening to the north.

folicallychalled
folicallychalled 9 years ago

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!

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 9 years ago

Another super spotting.

KarenSaxton
KarenSaxton 9 years ago

stunning shot

California, USA

Spotted on Jan 10, 2015
Submitted on Jan 11, 2015

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Reference

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