Barn Owl Diet and Size: Feeding Habits, Predators, and Measurements
Barn owls can hunt in complete darkness, relying entirely on their hearing to locate prey.
Before they even see their target, they can hear the slightest movements, be it rodents scurrying through grass or under snow. From there, their asymmetrical ears come into play, enhancing their ability to judge the distance and execute precise strikes without any visual aid.
Keep reading to find out more about these fascinating Owls.
Table of Contents
The Dietary Habits Of The Barn Owl
Let’s take a closer look at what Barn owls eat and how they feed their young as they grow stronger.
What Does A Barn Owl Eat?
Feeding primarily on small mammals, Barn owls favour rodents like voles, mice, and shrews. In the UK, field voles make up a large part of what they eat, especially in areas where these creatures are abundant. Their hunting habits revolve around the availability of such prey.
In addition to their usual small mammal prey, barn owls may also catch birds, insects, and, on rare occasions, amphibians or reptiles, depending on what’s available and the state of their surroundings.
These owls exhibit an interesting feeding behaviour. Instead of picking their prey apart, barn owls tend to swallow their prey whole, then later bring up the indigestible bits like bones and fur as pellets.
Barn owls mainly hunt after dark, using their impressive hearing and sight to track prey. However, when food is hard to find or winter is particularly harsh, they may hunt during the daytime.
What To Feed A Baby Barn Owl?
Barn owl parents typically feed their young on a diet of small mammals such as mice, voles, and shrews. Initially, the chicks rely on the mother to break the prey into smaller chunks, but as they grow, they start to eat larger pieces themselves and eventually manage whole animals.
Young owlets are fed smaller, more frequent meals to support their growth in the early days. This feeding routine is not only important for their nutritional needs but also for developing the ability to process fur and bones, which they’ll later regurgitate as pellets. By three weeks old, they’re capable of swallowing smaller prey such as shrews or small mice whole.
While the feeding frequency and quantity may change, most nights, each chick might consume 3-4 prey items. This number often rises during the height of the breeding season as parents work hard to provide enough food for their growing brood.
Breeding Habits Of Barn Owls
One of the interesting things about Barn owls is how early they can start breeding, sometimes in their very first year. While their breeding season typically stretches from March to August, climate conditions can cause it to start earlier, especially in recent years due to climate change.
Barn owls don’t bother building elaborate nests. Instead, they use existing spaces, such as barns, tree hollows, or man-made structures. They might also adopt old nests or crevices they find. Over time, the nesting spots can gather pellets and debris, which eventually forms a surface for laying eggs.
Mutual preening, cheek rubbing, and the male feeding the female are all part of their courtship, which helps solidify their pair bond. As the female prepares to lay eggs, she hunts less frequently and relies on the male to supply food.
A typical clutch consists of 4 to 6 eggs, with the female incubating them for about 29 to 34 days, while the male continues to provide food. After the owlets hatch, they remain in the nest for 50 to 55 days before fledging. Throughout this period, both parents share the task of feeding their chicks.
Do Barn Owls Mate For Life?
Often forming lifelong pair bonds, Barn owls are known for their strong monogamous partnerships. This kind of lifelong commitment isn’t unique to them, as it’s observed in many other owl species too. Males play a key role in this bond by engaging in display flights and offering food, gestures that help deepen their connection with their partner.
Though barn owls are typically loyal to their partners, circumstances like death or disappearance can lead them to seek out a new bond. In these instances, they may form a fresh pair with a different mate.
The Size & Weight Of Barn Owls
Let’s look at how the size and weight of Barn owls vary, from their weight differences to their impressive wingspan.
How Much Does A Barn Owl Weigh?
Weighing between 250 and 350 grams (9 to 12 ounces), Barn owls display a slight difference between the sexes. Females often carry more weight than males due to the energy demands of egg production and incubation, whereas males tend to be lighter.
How Big Is A Barn Owl?
With a length of 32 to 40 cm and a wingspan between 79 and 96 cm, Barn owls are generally considered as medium-sized birds. They are easily spotted by their unique heart-shaped face and wide wings, which allow for silent, buoyant flight—perfect for hunting without being noticed.
Are Barn Owls Under Threat?
Despite being marked as a species of “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List, indicating a steady global population, Barn owls still encounter threats in certain areas that could affect their overall numbers.
Among the biggest dangers to Barn owls are habitat destruction, largely driven by changes in farming and expanding urban areas, and the threat of rodenticides, which can lead to secondary poisoning. They also frequently collide with vehicles. Conservation efforts focus on safer pest control and providing nest boxes to give these owls a better chance at survival.
What Eats A Barn Owl?
Though skilled in hunting, Barn owls often find themselves at risk of being preyed upon by larger animals. Great horned owls are known for their attacks on both juvenile and adult Barn owls. Eagles, when sharing the same habitat, also pose a danger. On the ground, their nests are vulnerable to foxes, which target eggs and young chicks.
Where Can I See Barn Owls In The UK?
The UK is home to some fantastic places for observing Barn owls, and the Aire & Calder Navigation in Yorkshire is a prime example. Successful nest box projects have ensured a thriving owl population here, making it an ideal location for regular sightings.
The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal is another spot where suitable habitats can be found, with regular sightings in areas like Purton and Sandfield Meadow. Likewise, the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal gives similar opportunities, particularly near the Standards Lock picnic area.
Vine House Farm in Lincolnshire is worth mentioning for its dedication to creating and maintaining barn owl habitats. Similarly, Orford Ness in Suffolk, under the care of the National Trust, offers distinctive coastal areas that support Barn owl activity.
SEE ALSO: Barn Owl Life Cycle: Nest Building To Fledging (and everything in between)
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Barn owls are not endangered. They are listed as a species of “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List, meaning their global population is stable. However, they do face local threats such as habitat loss, rodenticides, and vehicle collisions in certain areas.
Barn owls have several predators. Great horned owls are known to attack them, as well as eagles when sharing the same habitat. On the ground, foxes pose a threat, particularly to eggs and chicks in their nests.
A Barn owl measures between 32 and 40 cm in length, with a wingspan ranging from 79 to 96 cm, making them medium-sized birds. They are recognisable by their distinctive heart-shaped face and silent flight.
Barn owls primarily eat small mammals like voles, mice, and shrews. In addition to these, they occasionally consume birds, insects, and other small creatures like amphibians and reptiles, depending on availability.
