Every love story has to start somewhere, and this is where Buster and Bella's began. I filmed this in 2024, on one of their first few dates after meeting, in the MeadowView nest box.
It's one of the sweetest things I've caught on camera. Make sure you turn the sound on for this one.
Press play when you're ready, and watch right to the end. You can also watch it on YouTube.
Meet the happy couple
Buster was a young male barn owl back then. You can spot him in the video by the ring on his right leg, and he's the first owl to fly in and land on the perch. To be honest, he was a little naive in those days and not a great hunter. But Bella didn't seem to mind one bit.
Bella is a beautiful female barn owl who had been patiently waiting for the owl of her dreams to come along. And as luck would have it, that turned out to be Buster.
What to look out for
- The kissing. Watch the two of them touch beaks and nibble at each other's feathers. It's how barn owls bond, and it's lovely to see.
- The sounds. Put the sound on and you'll hear them chattering away to each other, reaffirming their love. Barn owls make all sorts of soft twittering and chirruping noises as a pair, which are very different from the screech most people know.
- Buster's ring. The ring on his right leg is how I could tell him apart, and it's how ringers keep track of barn owls through their lives. You can read more about barn owl ringing in the UK.
The MeadowView nest box
The box they're in is MeadowView, another one I made from an old oak whisky barrel. It has a camera inside so I could follow how this young couple got on, and I'm very glad I did.
How barn owls court
Barn owl courtship usually starts in late winter. The male shows off around the nest site, screeching and flying, and brings the female gifts of food to prove he's a good provider. Once they've paired up, they spend time together in the box, preening each other and calling softly, just like you see here. Barn owls usually stay together for life, and eggs are normally laid between March and June. You can find out more in my guide to barn owl mating.
A happy ending
Buster and Bella did go on to raise a family together. Not bad for an owl who wasn't much of a hunter when they met! Buster has come a long way since then, and you can watch him today on the live barn owl camera.
More from the owls at Barn Owl Live
- ❄️ Buster hasn't eaten for days, but the snow won't beat him
- 🐦 Barn owl vs baby stock dove, another Buster story
- 🎻 Banjo, the barn owl who came before Buster
- 🎬 Can you tell a male from a female? Find out with Poppy and Oscar
Questions people ask
Do barn owls kiss?
In a way, yes. Barn owl pairs touch beaks and preen each other's feathers, which helps them bond, especially early in the breeding season.
Do barn owls mate for life?
Usually. Barn owls generally stay with the same partner for as long as both are alive.
What sounds do barn owl pairs make?
As well as their famous screech, barn owl pairs make soft twittering and chirruping calls to each other, along with hisses and snoring sounds from the owlets.
When do barn owls lay eggs?
Barn owls usually lay their eggs between March and June, depending on the weather and how much food there is.
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Thanks for watching,
Paul 🦉