Home, near and far.
This species is native to North and South America and has been introduced to Hawaii. It is one of the most widespread land birds globally, found on six continents.
Birds Heard
FIELD GUIDE
FIELD GUIDE
Bay Owls and Barn Owls
American Barn Owl
Tyto furcata
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.
ResidentMedium-sizedRaspy ScreechRodent Diet
Meet the neighborhood - Length
- 32-40 cm
- Wingspan
- 100-125 cm
- Weight
- 400-700 g
Typical adult measurements.
Individuals and populations vary.
01 / The telltale details
You’ll know it
when you see it.
Start with shape and behavior. Then look for the smaller details.
- 01
Facial Disk
A prominent white, heart-shaped facial disk frames small, dark eyes.
- 02
Plumage
Upperparts are a mix of buff and gray, often with fine black spots, while underparts are white to buff, sparsely speckled.
- 03
Build
Lanky body with long, scaly legs and long, rounded wings; lacks ear tufts.
- 04
Sexual Dimorphism
Females are typically larger and heavier than males, with darker and more heavily speckled plumage.
02 / A place in the world
Where life
takes it.
American Barn Owls inhabit open and semi-open country, including grasslands, marshes, and agricultural fields. They often utilize barns, silos, abandoned buildings, tree cavities, caves, and cliff crevices for roosting and nesting.
Stay a while. Or follow the season.
American Barn Owls are generally considered permanent residents throughout much of their range. However, in northern regions, some individuals may hunt during the day in winter when temperatures are cold and snow is deep.
03 / Listen a little closer
A voice
of its own.
Unlike other owls, they do not hoot. Their primary vocalization is a long, high-pitched, raspy screech or scream, often given in flight. They also produce loud hisses.
04 / The life behind the feathers
A day in its world.
On the menu.
Their diet primarily consists of small mammals, especially voles, rats, and mice. They may also consume bats, birds, frogs, small reptiles, and larger insects.
These owls hunt almost exclusively at night, flying low over open fields with silent wingbeats. They locate prey using their acute hearing, which is enhanced by their facial disk, and may also hunt from low perches.
A place to begin.
Nesting occurs in dark, secluded cavities such as tree hollows, caves, and human-made structures like barns and silos. Females lay 3 to 11 white eggs, often on a simple base of regurgitated pellets.
The little routines.
American Barn Owls are strictly nocturnal, roosting in hidden, quiet places during the day. When disturbed in their daytime retreats, they may bob their heads and weave back and forth.
One more reason to pay attention
A familiar face.
A few surprises.
The American Barn Owl's exceptional hearing allows it to capture prey in complete darkness or under deep snow.
They are highly sensitive to disturbance near nesting sites and face threats from habitat loss and rodenticides.
The species was reclassified in 2024 from *Tyto alba* to *Tyto furcata* by the American Ornithological Society.
05 / An eye for the difference
Could it be
someone else?
Western Barn Owl
Tyto albaHistorically considered the same species, *Tyto furcata* is now recognized as distinct from the Western Barn Owl (*Tyto alba*) found in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusShort-eared Owls share similar open habitat and hunting styles but have small ear tufts and a different facial pattern.
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianusGreat Horned Owls are larger, have prominent ear tufts, and typically produce a hooting call rather than a screech.
Behind these field notesResearch & references · 12 sources
AI-assisted species research. Prepared October 2026. Details can vary across regions and populations.