Banjo the Barn Owl Stretching Before He Goes Hunting

Before Buster, there was Banjo. He was the very first barn owl to move into the whisky barrel nest box I built and put up in the barn, the one with the tunnel entrance. I'll always have a soft spot for him.

This is only a short clip, but it's one of my favourites. Banjo is getting ready for a night's hunting, and like any good athlete, he has a proper stretch first.

▶ A Barn Owl Called Banjo, Stretching Before He Goes Hunting

Press play when you're ready, and watch right to the end. You can also watch it on YouTube.

About Banjo

Banjo was a bit of a mystery. During the nesting season he would disappear, and I believe he was raising families somewhere else nearby. Then, once the season was over, he'd come back to the whisky barrel and use it as his roost.

That all changed when Buster turned up. He took a real interest in the barrel box, and in the end the two of them had a fight over it. That's a story for another day, though. This clip is just Banjo, at home, getting ready for the night.

What to look out for

• The stretch. Watch Banjo stretch out his wings and legs. Barn owls do this before they head out, loosening up after hours of sitting still in the roost.
• The feathers. A good stretch and shake also helps settle their soft feathers, which matters for an owl that relies on flying silently.
• The nest box. Notice how clean and fresh the inside of the barrel looks. Banjo only used it as a roost and never raised owlets in it, so there was none of the mess a family of hungry owlets leaves behind.

The whisky barrel nest box

I made this box from an old whisky barrel, with a tunnel leading into the nest chamber. The tunnel gives the owls a dark, sheltered space inside and helps keep the weather out. If you're thinking of putting up a box yourself, have a look at my barn owl nest box guidelines first. It covers the size, the depth below the entrance and where to put it.

Why do barn owls roost in boxes?

Barn owls don't build nests. They need a dry, dark, quiet place to sleep through the day and to raise their young, and old barns, hollow trees and nest boxes are perfect. Out of the nesting season, many barn owls have a favourite roost they come back to again and again, just like Banjo did. You can read more in my guide to barn owl roosting.

More from the owls at Barn Owl Live

• 🦉 See who's in the boxes now on the live barn owl camera
• 🐦 Another story from the cameras: Barn owl vs baby stock dove
• ❄️ Buster hasn't eaten for days, but the snow won't beat him
• 🎬 Learn more with Poppy and Oscar: How to tell a male from a female barn owl

Questions people ask

Who was Banjo the barn owl?

Banjo was the first barn owl to roost in the whisky barrel nest box in the barn at Barn Owl Live in the Peak District. He used it as a roost outside the nesting season.

Why do barn owls stretch before hunting?

Stretching loosens their wings and legs after hours of sitting still, and a shake helps settle their soft feathers ready for silent flight.

Why did the nest box look so clean?

Banjo only used the box as a roost and never raised owlets in it, so there was none of the mess a family leaves behind.

Can I make a nest box from a whisky barrel?

Yes. A barrel can make a good barn owl box as long as it is big enough, has a deep space below the entrance and is placed somewhere quiet and sheltered.

Thanks for watching,
Paul 🦉