Barn Owl
Barn Owl by Doug Swinson on Unsplash
Scientific Name: Tyto alba Other Common Names: Scritch Owl Status: Least Concern Range: Global Habitat:Farms, Woods, Abandoned Buildings Breeding: March-December Nest Size: 4-7 eggs Length: 12.5 - 15.5 inches Wingspan: 42 - 43 inches
The common Barn Owl is one of the two owl species which can be found in Jamaica.
Appearance
The medium-sized native owl is white in colour and is outlined with brown and gray on the back of its head and wings. At night, the barn owl can appear to be all white. It also has a very recognizable white heart-shaped face. They have long, rounded wings and short, square tails.
Female barn owls are larger than males with lengths ranging from 13.5 - 15.5 inches and wing spans of 43 inches. Male owls have lengths ranging 12.5 to 15.00 inches and wingspans of 42 inches.
Range & Habitat
The Barn Owl is very common and can be found in many countries across the globe. The only continent where the barn cannot be found is Antartica.
Barn Owls can be found in a variety of habitats such as old abandoned buildings, grasslands, farms, and woodlands. They typically prefer large areas of open land to hunt their prey. They nest in tree-hollows, sheds and quiet buildings although they have been found in caves and even on housing schemes.
Diet
Barn Owls are nocturnal hunters and rodents make up the majority of their diet. It also consumes small birds, bats, insects and frogs. They locate their prey using sound and sight. The Barn Owl has asymetrical ear openings with their right ear opening lower than the left ear opening.
This helps them detect the slightest sound coming from both directions making it easier for them to detect their prey. Barn Owls hoard food during the breeding season to be eaten at a later time.
Mating & Breeding
Barn Owls live alone until mating where they begin to live in pairs.Courtship is indicated by advertising calls and chasing the female which also involves a screeching sound. Barn Owls only have one mate for their entire life time.
Breeding Season typically begins in March and ends by December. On average, their nest size ranges from 4-7 eggs with one egg being hatched 2-3 days apart.
Barn Owl by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash
Sound
The Barn Owl mainly communicates though sound. It has a very loud distinctive call which sounds like a screech or a distressed scream.
Conservation Status
The Barn Owl has large stable populations across the globe and is listed as least concern according to the IUCN. The Barn Owl is protected by the Wild Life Protection Act in Jamaica. It is illegal to hunt or injure these animals and guilty individuals can be fined or imprisoned.
Culture
Some Jamaicans believe that when seen at night, the Barn Owl with its ghostly appearance and distressed call means that someone is going to die. The birds are often stoned because of this.