Irish Raptors: Barn Owl

Barn Owls are usually only seen at night. The pale, white, heart-shaped face and underparts are distinctive (Photo: Richard T. Mills).

Barn Owl Tyto alba

Irish name Scréachóg reilige.

Length 37–39cm.

Wingspan 84–93cm.

Estimated Irish breeding population 400 to 450 pairs.

Map of Barn Owl distribution in Ireland. Patchily distributed or now absent from much of north, north-west and east Ireland. The stronghold of the species is in the SW.

Habitat Hunts over rough grassland, woodland edges and any rough, open areas. Nests mainly in ruined or derelict buildings, occasionally in large cavities in old trees.

Diet Small mammals such as mice, shrews, voles and rats. Small birds are occasionally eaten, mainly in winter.

Nesting season April to July.

Eggs Usually three to five eggs are laid, which are matt white and spherical.

Incubation period 29 to 33 days, exclusively by the female.

Fledging time 54–62 days.

Number of broods reared per year One.

A Barn Owl parent (left) brings a Wood Mouse to feed its chick. The nest was in an old Castle in Co. Cork (Richard T. Mills)

Vocalisations Barn Owl calls are quite distinctive. The first call (below) is a single screech from an adult bird. It can be delivered from a perch or in flight, and is occasionally repeated. Barn Owl calls are most likely to be heard coming from inside or near derelict or ruined buildings, though the screech can also be made in flight over open areas.

Not all sounds you might hear at night are made by owls. Some deer have a loud, whistling call. Foxes often call at night, and while many fox sounds are dog-like, ie, barks, yelps and whining, they have a loud call which sounds a little like the screech of a Barn Owl. Have a listen to this fox call (below) and see if you can tell the difference...

The other commonly heard call of Barn Owls (below) is often referred to as 'snoring'. It is of young at the nest, calling for food. This call is exclusively associated with a nest site, and can be faint, but gets ever louder as the chicks grow. In early spring, the female can make a sound similar to this to encourage the male to feed her while she is incubating the eggs.

These two Barn Owl chicks are nearly fledged, but created quite a racket during August evenings when their persistent 'snoring' calls for food were heard by the neighbours (Photo: Niall Sheehan).