The Barn Owl is the most widely distributed of the owls, inhabiting every continent except Antarctica. There are 28 subspecies world-wide. In North America extreme southern Canada is the northern limit of its range. It is only found in southwestern Ontario within 50 kilometres of the Great Lakes and in southern British Columbia. It is estimated there are as few as 5 breeding pairs in Ontario.

The Barn Owl is easily identified by its buff colour and white, heart shaped face. It has no ear tufts. It is a mid sized owl. Barn owls nest in barns, abandoned buildings and natural cavities in trees.

The Barn Owl hunts at night using its sense of hearing. It hunts small rodents such as mice.

Fun Facts

Owls swallow their prey whole and later spit up what is called an owl pellet. This contains the fur and bones of the meal. Conservationists are trying to assist the barn owl by putting up owl nesting boxes.