Male or Female Barn Owl? How to Tell Them Apart, with Poppy and Oscar

Is that barn owl a he or a she? It's one of the questions I get asked most on the live chat, and it's not always an easy one to answer. So in this episode of Talkin Wildlife, Poppy Barnes asks Oscar Wiseowl to explain what to look for.

The differences are quite subtle, but once you know what you're looking at, you'll start spotting them for yourself. Have a read first if you like, then press play when you're ready.

▶ Male or Female Barn Owl? Talkin Wildlife Video Podcast

Press play when you're ready. You can also watch it on YouTube.

What you'll find out

Oscar takes Poppy through the main clues, and why it's so much easier when you can see a pair side by side. Here are the facts behind the episode.

• Look at the chest. Males tend to be whiter underneath, often with very few spots or none at all. Females are usually a richer buff colour on the chest.
• Count the spots. Females normally have more dark speckles on their chest and under their wings. It's one of the best clues, though it varies from owl to owl.
• Size and weight. Females are usually a little bigger and heavier than males, but it's hard to tell unless you see them together.
• The brood patch. In the breeding season, a female develops a bare patch of skin on her belly to keep the eggs warm. You won't see it on a flying owl, but bird ringers use it to be sure.
• Who does what. Behaviour gives you clues too. The female sits on the eggs while the male brings her food, so in spring the owl doing the hunting trips is usually him.
• Pairs make it easier. One owl on its own can be tricky. When you see a pair together, the paler, less spotty one is very likely the male.

Meet your hosts

Before anyone writes in, yes, I know real barn owls don't talk! Poppy and Oscar are animated characters I created for the Talkin Wildlife series, as a fun and friendly way to share proper barn owl facts. Everything they say is based on real barn owl behaviour, much of it seen on our own cameras here in the Peak District.

Want to know more?

• 📖 Read my full written guide: How to tell the sex of a barn owl, with photos
• 📄 Download the free Barn Owl Male or Female guide to take out with you
• 🎬 Watch the other episode: What do barn owls eat?
• 🧠 Test yourself with the free wildlife and barn owl quiz
• 🦉 Put it into practice on the live barn owl camera. Can you tell Buster from Miss B?

Questions people ask

How can you tell a male barn owl from a female?

Males are usually whiter underneath with few or no spots, while females are often more buff coloured with more dark spots on the chest. Females are also slightly bigger.

Are female barn owls bigger than males?

Usually, yes. Females tend to be a little larger and heavier, but the difference is easiest to see when a pair is together.

Can you always tell a barn owl's sex by its colour?

Not always. Some males are spotty and some females are pale, so colour is a good clue rather than a guarantee. Seeing a pair together helps a lot.

Is this video suitable for children?

Yes. It's a gentle, friendly video presented by two animated barn owls, ideal for families, schools and anyone who loves wildlife.

Thanks for watching,
Paul 🦉