Barn Owls (Tyto alba) are found throughout the temperate regions of the world. This worldwide range categorizes the Barn Owl as a cosmopolitan species. The Barn Owl traditionally lived and hunted in open grasslands and nested in large, hollow trees or caves. This still holds true today, but as man cleared land for agricultural use the Barn Owl has been able to adapt and expand its territory, taking advantage of the millions of acres now used for raising crops and grazing cattle. Even the man-made structures in these areas are often exploited by Barn Owls as nesting sites. These include lofted barns, silos, grain bins, fire towers, duct work in abandoned gins and factories, culverts, and occasionally even wells.
As with most other raptors (a collective term for all hawks, falcons, eagles, and owls), the Barn Owl feeds primarily on mammals and other birds. The types of mammals and birds that Barn Owls choose make their pellets ideal for classroom study. Favored among Barn Owl prey are the insectivores (shrews and moles), small rodents (mice, voles, and rats), and small birds (sparrows, blackbirds, and starlings). These prey animals all commonly thrive in the areas where Barn Owls live. This is because insectivores, small rodents, and many birds feed on the naturally occurring vegetation, as well as agricultural crops and insects that feed on these crops. Continue reading ‘Introduction to Owl Pellets’
