American Barn Owl
Tyto furcata · Bay Owls and Barn Owls
The American Barn Owl is a nocturnal raptor recognized by its distinctive heart-shaped face and pale plumage. These silent hunters are often associated with open country and human-made structures. Their ghostly appearance and eerie calls have contributed to various superstitions surrounding them.
Explore the full field guideResidentMedium-sizedRaspy ScreechRodent Diet
1 call·first heard Oct 19·last 7d ago
When it's heardpeak 10p · fall
5a12p9p
How to know it
- A prominent white, heart-shaped facial disk frames small, dark eyes.
- Upperparts are a mix of buff and gray, often with fine black spots, while underparts are white to buff, sparsely speckled.
- Lanky body with long, scaly legs and long, rounded wings; lacks ear tufts.
- Females are typically larger and heavier than males, with darker and more heavily speckled plumage.