Barn Owl (33–36cm, 12½–14in)

The Barn Owl, instantly recognizable for its heart-shaped face and hauntingly beautiful appearance, is a medium-sized owl. Its upperparts are a captivating mix of yellow-brown and grey, while its underparts are white (or buff for continental birds). With a wavering flight and a piercing shriek, it truly embodies the image of a ghostly predator. Barn Owls favor open landscapes, hunting along field edges, scrub, dykes, ditches, and woodland borders. They nest in barns, specially designed owl boxes, and hollow trees. Once widespread in western and northeastern Europe, their numbers in Britain plummeted due to various threats like poisoning, trapping, unsafe building practices, and increased road accidents. Thankfully, conservation efforts are leading to a slow but steady population rise.

With broad, rounded wings outstretched, its yellow-buff upperparts and barred tail contrast sharply with the white underwings. Interestingly, these silent predators can sometimes be glimpsed during winter months and breeding season, even venturing out in daylight hours.

In Western Europe, the alba race of the Barn Owl stuns with its heart-shaped face. Unlike other Barn Owls, the alba's face is a pristine white, bordered only by a faint, thin grey line. Its large black eyes pierce the night. The rest of its plumage is a captivating blend of rich yellowy-orange, greys, blacks, and browns, adorning its head, mantle, and most of its wings. The short tail displays three distinct grey bars for added flair. The underparts are a clean white, with subtle flecks of color gracing its flanks and thighs. Even its legs are a marvel – feathered in white and ending in pinkish feet with sharp black claws.

From a hungry chick's perspective, the world narrows to a single point: the parent Barn Owl returning with a juicy morsel. These dedicated birds transform into tireless hunters during breeding season, leaving no small mammal safe from their sharp beaks.

A rare visitor to Britain is the guttata race, hailing from central, eastern, and northeastern Europe. Though identical in size and shape to the resident alba Barn Owl, the guttata's plumage is a striking contrast. Its upperparts are noticeably darker, with a smoky grey cast across the mantle and wings. Even the heart-shaped face loses its pristine white, washed instead with a greyish-brown hue. The underparts complete the transformation – a rich, buffy brown canvas adorned with neat, dark speckles from breast to belly.

Huddled in a darkened corner of their barn home, the young Barn Owls wait expectantly for a parent laden with food, resembling a solemn choir awaiting their conductor. Their fluffy down, a reminder of their younger days, is rapidly disappearing – only wispy tufts remain on their heads as their adult plumage starts to emerge.  Raising three chicks to fledging is no small feat – adult Barn Owls need good fortune on their side: favorable weather, tolerant landowners, and a plentiful supply of small mammals to sustain their growing offspring.