Tyto alba

Biological Overview

Habitat
Lives on almost every Continent; prefers open lands like grasslands, agricultural fields, marshes and deserts; builds nest in secluded areas, about 3 meters above ground.

Diet
Eats small mammals: rodents, mice, shrews, and voles. They eat around 3-4 animals nightly.

Role in Ecosystem
Top tier predators that act as pest control to help slow and limit disease spread and invasive species, keeping population and biodiversity high.

Behavior
Barn owls nest in cavities, abandoned barns and other buildings, and dense trees. At night they fly around in habitats searching for food.

Human Impact

Humans affect Barn Owls by destroying the habitats they live in. When trees are cut for crops and homes, it hurts the owls, as these are places they live in. Rodenticide poisoning can affect the barn owl, too, when a rodent killed by it is eaten by an owl. Many things have been done by humans to prevent this. People install high-rise hedges in order to force owls to fly higher, avoiding vehicular collisions. Many human-made nests for owls have been put to use, counteracting deforestation.

Creative Exploration

Fly Free, so Free
Fly free, so free,
little owl.
through wind and rain,
without disdain,
for danger in your way.
Make it back home,
where your children roam,
who fly free, so free,
those little owls.

Emma Price, Jaxson Kennedy

Book 8