Barn Owl Roosting

Barn owls are nocturnal birds of prey, which means they are most active between dusk and dawn. These crepuscular periods in the daily cycle provide the Barn Owl with a level of darkness sufficient to start hunting before full darkness sets in. During daylight hours, Barn Owls are usually found resting in locations such as nestboxes, tree crevices and of course in the rafters of isolated barns after which they are named. These locations usually provide sufficient protection from natural predators and also help to minimise disturbance to the roosting owl(s). However, Barn Owls are sometimes observed outside of their roosts during daylight hours, particularly during the winter months when overnight hunting brought no rewards in the form of prey.

Shortly before the sun rises each morning, Barn Owls head for their roosts. An ideal choice of location is dark, fairly quiet and with a low risk of disturbance – chiefly from humans.

The darkness/semi-darkness of the roost allows the light-sensitive eyes of the owls to rest. During sleep, one side of the owl’s brain remains constantly alert for disturbances. Barn owls will continue to use the same roosting sites providing they remain undisturbed. Some roost sites may be used by both breeding and non-breeding owls.

Do Barn Owls always roost together?

The simple answer is no, they generally don’t.

Particularly outside of the breeding season, individual owls will roost alone; they are solitary birds and don’t need the company of others of their species. However, while some individual birds will roost alone, pairs often maintain contact outside of the breeding season and share roost sites, especially when one of them has been displaced from its own roost and seeks a known safe roost, often with its breeding mate.

So, don’t be surprised to see Barn Owls roosting alone, in pairs, or occasionally in small communal roosts – particularly during harsh winter weather.