The Barn Owl
A fairly common, pale, medium sized, nocturnal owl with heart-shaped facial disc and small black eyes. They have relatively long legs and no ear-tufts. They can look completely white in artificial light, as in street lamps or car headlights. The flight is low and wavering, often with the feet dangling.
Worldwide, more then 30 subspecies have been described. These owls prefer cultivation near human settlements and are often found in cities. The call is an extended and wild shriek while young in the nest make a snoring sound. It feeds mainly on small mammals such as mice and rats and a favourite haunt is therefore grain storage depots.
This is mainly a nocturnal species so it is easily overlooked even though they often nest in inhabited buildings. The constant noise in modern cities means that the calls are not often picked up. The adults pair for life.
Size: 34 cms
Weight: Approximately 500 g.
Eggs: Long and subelliptical. White, non glossy, but smooth. Clutch usually 4 to 7. Female incubates alone. Young fed and tended by both parents.