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American Barn Owl

Tyto furcata

Barn-Owls
American Barn Owl, photographed by Andy Chilton andyc

Photo: Andy Chilton andyc · Wikimedia · CC0 1.0 (licence)

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Call and song

About the American Barn Owl

Medium-sized owl with a heart-shaped facial disc and deep dark eyes; the only Tyto owl present throughout much of its range. Varies across a wide global range, but always note white-and-black speckling on the upperparts, beautiful gray-and-tawny wings, and large round head. Color of the facial disc and underparts varies from pure white to rusty orange. Hunts primarily rodents in open areas by night, foraging with a slow and buoyant flight. Roosts in old buildings, tree hollows, caves, and nest boxes by day. Its call is a bone-chilling, rising shriek.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 41 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.