Diet
The barn owl is a nocturnal hunter. It eats small mammals like mice, shrews, voles, and rats. It also eats
birds. It has a keen sense of smell, which along with the ability to see in low light, helps it catch its prey. Its soft feathers also muffle sound so it can silently sneak up on its prey.
Life Cycle
Males attract a mate with
calls. They then chase the female. Both the male and female will then let out a series of screeching calls.
The female barn owl lays five to ten eggs at a rate of one egg every two to three days. She lays her eggs on bare wood or stone in buildings, in tree hollows, caves, or burrows. The owlets hatch in 32-34 days, and both parents feed them. The owlets hunt on their own when they are about two months old. Because the barn owl has a life expectancy of only about two years, females often have two broods a year.
Behavior
When a barn owl is threatened, it spreads its wings and sways its head back and forth. It may also fall on its back and strike out at the threat with its feet.
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