The Barn Owl is the most widely
distributed species of owl and one
of the most widespread of all birds.
Found almost anywhere in the world
outside polar and desert regions,
the Barn Owl has many alternative
names including White Owl, Ghost Owl
and Screech Owl. It is a pale, long-winged,
long-legged owl with a short squarish tail.
Plumage varies across it's wordlwide range,
but in general it's head and upperparts are
a mixture of buff and grey, the chest and
under wings are white with varying amounts
of brown speckles. The heart-shaped face
is white with dark eyes. Barn Owls have
acute hearing, enabling them to hunt
without sight. Historically farmers viewed
them as an effective means of pest control,
encouraging them to nest in farm buildings.
Natural nest sites include tree stumps and
cliff crevices and the nest itself will simply
be a scrape in unsorted debris.
A typical clutch would be between 2 - 6 eggs.
