The barn owl, with its bright white feathers and heart-shaped face, is easily recognizable and a joy to spot in flight.
These owls are distinguished by their heart-shaped faces, white underparts, and mottled golden-buff upperparts. Females are generally larger than males and can be confused with short-eared owls, which have bold yellow eyes and more pronounced patterns.
Barn owls are skilled hunters, primarily targeting small mammals like voles, mice, shrews, and rats. Their excellent long-distance vision, sensitive hearing, and silent flight help them catch prey effectively.
Breeding typically occurs between March and August, depending on food availability. They nest in old barns, buildings, and tree hollows, laying 4 to 6 eggs that hatch in about a month. The chicks fledge at around two months old.
While barn owl populations are recovering after previous declines, they are still decreasing in Northern Ireland, likely due to changing agricultural practices and loss of nesting sites. The introduction of owl nesting boxes is helping support their numbers.
