Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

Barn Owl (Tyto alba) is a scarce breeding resident in Haryana, India. This bird is found in the open country.  Size: 36 cm

Order: STRIGIFORMES    Family: Tytonidae    Weight: 450 to 600 gm    Wingspan: ~110 cm    Clutch size: 3 to 11

Geographic Range: Barn owls being the most widespread of all owl species, are found on every continent except Antarctica.

Habitat: Barn owls prefer warm climates with mild winters. Nearby open grassland is essential for hunting. They will nest in many different locations, including trees, cliffs, caves, riverbanks, barn lofts and hay stacks. Barn owls usually avoid deep forests and mountains.

Identification: Medium-sized owls with long legs that are sparsely feathered down to their grey toes. The head is large and rounded without ear tufts. Barn owls have rounded wings and a short tail that is covered with white or light brown, downy feathers. The upper-side of the bird is a light brown while the underside is a grayish white. Barn owls are quite striking in appearance. Females tend to be a little larger and weigh more than the males.