Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Barn Owl
Scientific Name:
Tyto alba
Length:
33-39cm
Wingspan (mm):
80-95cm
Lifespan:
4yrs Description
This is a pale, long-winged, long-legged owl, 33
Distribution
There are an estimated 4,400 breeding pairs in Britain. With over-wintering birds estimated to be between 12 500-25 000 birds.
Habitat
Prefers open country, with rough grassland. Breeds in derelict buildings, provided nest boxes or holes in trees.
Diet
Barn Owls feed mostly on rodents.[1] These include rats, mice, shrews, moles, and voles. Each Barn Owl may consume between one to seven rodents per night; a nesting pair and their young can eat thousands of rodents per year.
Behaviour
The eggs are laid at 1-2 day intervals. Meaning the young hatch at different times so the youngest may emerge when some siblings are already a week old. This creates a pecking order amongst the chicks in which the oldest birds always get fed first and the youngest will only survive if there is enough food left over.
Population
Barn Owls allover Europe have suffered a major decline in the last 100 yeras. In Britain numbers have fallen by over 60% since the 1930's due to factors such as the intensification of agriculture and loss of suitable nest sites.
Status
Amber
Did You Know?
The barn owl is the most widespread land bird in the world. It can be found in places as far apart as the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia! In Britain, this species is specially protected by Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). This legislation protects Barn Owl from nest destruction, killing or injuring and also disturbance while breeding.