Barn Owl
The Barn Owl is designated as a threatened species. The Barn Owls that
were studied were located in the southern area of New Jersey, near the
town of Salem. Loss of habitat is probably the largest reason for the
Barn Owl's decline. Farmland is being developed for housing and old
barns are being torn down with steel barns replacing wooden ones. The
steel barns are not as forgiving in temperature changes as wooden barns,
therefore, many Barn Owls freeze over the Winter months as the steel
barns are more extreem in temperature. The hunting area of the Barn Owl
has been reduced because of housing developments and shopping malls
taking up valuable room. Barn Owls need large open fields and edge of
forrest areas to hunt, and this has been slowly reduced. Automobiles
have contributed to over ten percent of the deaths to Barn Owls. The
reason for deaths from automobiles is, Barn Owls swoop down just before
they begin their flight, and if the owl is in a tree next to a road, the
chances for being killed or injured be an automobile is high.
» Length: 17-18 inches.
» Weight: about 1 pound.
» Wingspan: up to 43 inches.
» Females larger than males.
» White breast and white, heart-shaped face; red-brown speckled body.
» Habitat Trees, abandoned burrows and buildings, old farm machinery
left in fields. Because it frequents abandoned buildings, this bird has
been the source of ghost tales. Prefers temperate forests and
grasslands.
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