(Family Tytonidae/Tyto alba)
Nicknames: Monkey-faced owl, ghost owl
Average Length: 11-17 inches
Average Weight: 12-20 ounces
Average Wingspan: around 3 feet
Other Characteristics: Single, white
facial disk (heart-shaped), legs and feet
unfeathered, white underside and tawny
back, “preening comb” (comb-like ridge) on one
talon on each foot, long legs for size, small dark
eyes
Status: Endangered or threatened in some parts of its range
Range: Found throughout most of Central America and the United States, except for the extreme north. There are at least 13 types of barn owls, found on every continent except Antarctica. In South Dakota they are not common due to our extreme weather, but a nest of five babies was found in 1999 in an old barn (near Rapid City) when it was torn down.
Habitat: Prefers open country like planted fields. Known occasionally to inhabit open parks in urban areas.
Primary Foods: Mice, rats, shrews, voles.
Breeding: Believed that at least some pairs will mate for their entire lives. Often lays more than one clutch of eggs per year. One clutch contains 3 to 7 eggs. Nest in old buildings (such as barns or belfries) on ledges or rafters, although they will use tree cavities. Will nest in man-made boxes.
Other Behavior: Has the best hearing of any bird in the world, partially due to its unique facial disk which functions to catch sound waves. Preyed upon by great horned owls. Their call has been described as a woman screaming in terror.
Common Human-related Problems: Habitat loss (nesting sites and farmland); hit by cars when hunting; secondary poisoning; persecution by humans.