 The Barn Owl is the only member of the family Tytonidae, or monkey faced owls. It is easily identified by its distinct heart-shaped, white facial disc. It also has dark eyes and lacks ear tufts. The body feathers are sandy brown, streaked with white and brown with pale or white underparts.
Uncommon to most of the Midwest, a barn owl is considered a cavity nester, and will take residence in human-made structures, including nest boxes. In Europe and Asia, barn owls are well known for using buildings and church steeples as nest areas. Barn owls are exclusively nocturnal, and begin hunting usually one hour after sunset. The barn owl relies on its very sensitive vision and acute hearing to find prey such as mice, voles, shrews, and even small birds or reptiles. Based on scientific studies, the barn owl is extremely accurate at locating prey by sound alone. Owls have very soft feathers that help to muffle sounds made during flight, which allow them to approach their prey virtually undetected. A barn owl captures its prey with strong feet and talons, and nip through the backbone with a sharp, hooked beak. The prey is then usually swallowed whole. Undigested material like bones, claws, and teeth are regurgitated in the form of a pellet approximately 8 hours later. Barn Owls typically mate for life, and reuse the same nest site each year. The female lays 5-10 solid white eggs, which hatch after about 30 days. The adult males are highly involved in the rearing process. They make many trips daily to bring enough food for his mate and growing brood. After approximately 60 days, the owlets leave the nest, and are able to hunt for themselves. Once fledged, each owl will roam some distance to find an unoccupied area with an ample food supply. Unlike other birds, barn owls do not store extra fat in their tissues to help them survive harsh winters, and many owls die during freezing weather or are too weak to breed the following spring. Pesticides have affected this species much the same as they have affected bald eagles and peregrine falcons. For some unknown reason, the barn owl suffers more severe effects from consuming pesticides than other species of owls. Eggshell thinning is the leading cause of low reproduction in birds, and modern agricultural practices are the main influence. Illinois has had plenty of experience with these practices, and some have adjusted their methods to be more ecologically friendly. Barn Owls are only partially migratory, with northern populations flying south during the winter months. Pairs return in spring to breed and rear young.
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