Chapter 21 of 23

Myths, Mix Ups and Quick Answers

Clearing up some common questions

About 2 minute read

Some common myths

Owls attract a lot of myths, and it is worth setting a few straight.

• Barn Owls hoot. They do not. A hoot means a Tawny Owl. A Barn Owl screeches, hisses and snores.
• Owls can see in complete darkness. No. They see very well in dim light, but in true darkness, a Barn Owl depends on its hearing.
• Owls can turn their heads all the way round. Not quite. They can turn about three quarters of a full circle.
• Barn Owls eat bats. Very rarely. In a survey of more than 180,000 prey items, only a tiny fraction were bats.
• Barn Owls are territorial. Not in the usual sense. They have huge home ranges that overlap, and they do not defend them.
• A Barn Owl seen by day is ill. Not necessarily. It may be hungry, feeding chicks or simply making the most of a good afternoon. It is worth watching, but there is no need to panic.
• Barn Owls keep rats and mice under control. They eat plenty, but studies suggest that predators like owls follow the numbers of their prey, and do not control them. They are a lovely addition to a farm and no substitute for good pest management.

Quick answers

These are the questions I get asked most often.

Where do Barn Owls sleep? In dry, high, quiet places, such as barns, hollow trees, church towers and nest boxes. Sometimes they tuck themselves between straw bales.

How long do Barn Owls live? Around four years in the wild, though some live more than ten, and captive birds can live far longer.

What do Barn Owls eat? Mostly small mammals, especially field voles, common shrews and wood mice.

Do Barn Owls mate for life? Generally, yes, for as long as both are alive, though a newcomer can sometimes upset a pair.

Can I put up a nest box in my garden? Only if it is a large garden next to plenty of rough grassland. Otherwise the owls will not find enough to eat.

Is it legal to look at a nest? Not without a licence. It is an offence to disturb Barn Owls at or near an active nest, so watch from a distance.

Why do Barn Owls hunt in the daytime? Usually because food is short, the weather has been bad or there are hungry chicks to feed.

Fancy testing what you have learned? There is a Barn Owl quiz on the website.