Where to Find Barn Owls
Barn owls are one of the most widespread species of owls, found on every continent except Antarctica. Though they are called “barn owls”, these owls actually prefer open habitats like grasslands, marshes, and agricultural areas. Barn owls hunt by flying low over open fields, using their incredible hearing to locate small mammals rustling in the grass. If you want to catch a glimpse of these ghostly white owls, here are some of the best places to see them in the wild:
Farmlands and Pastures
Barn owls are strongly associated with agricultural areas, where they can hunt rodents that live in and around barns, silos, and crop fields. Search for them in rural areas with a mix of grasslands, farms, and scattered trees or shrubs. The owls roost and nest in barns, hollow trees, and abandoned buildings. Prime viewing spots include:
Location | Details |
---|---|
Midwestern prairies | Grasslands and farms in states like Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana |
Ranchlands of Texas | Cattle ranches with open pastures and oak savannas |
Agricultural valleys of California | Orchards, vineyards, and fields in the Central Valley |
In these areas, drive along backcountry roads at dawn and dusk and scan fence posts and telephone poles for perched owls. Listen for their eerie screeching calls at night.
Coastal Grasslands
From the meadows of Cape Cod to the prairies of the Pacific Northwest, coastal grasslands harbor good numbers of barn owls. Look for them hunting over salt marshes, dunes, agricultural fields, and pastures. The mild oceanic climate allows barn owls to be active year-round. Some hotspots include:
Location | Details |
---|---|
Outer Cape Cod, Massachusetts | Salt marshes, dunes, and grasslands in areas like Wellfleet and Truro |
Willapa Bay, Washington | Extensive salt marshes with lots of voles, a favorite barn owl prey |
Grazing lands of Marin County, California | Coastal prairies and dairy farms north of San Francisco |
Listen for eerie screeching over open marshes and fields at night when barn owls are most active.
Desert Grasslands
Though less typical habitat, barn owls can also be found hunting rodents in desert grasslands and shrublands. Their numbers fluctuate based on prey availability. Look in areas with mixtures of small mammals like kangaroo rats. Prime hotspots include:
Location | Details |
---|---|
Snake River Birds of Prey, Idaho | Grasslands and canyon ridges where owls hunt rodents |
Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona | Desert grasslands with good populations of desert cottontails |
Carrizo Plain National Monument, California | Arid grasslands with fluctuating vole and ground squirrel populations |
In desert areas, barn owls are scarcer but they may be found roosting on cliffs or Detected by their eerie calls at night.
When to Look for Barn Owls
Since barn owls are nocturnal hunters, the best time to spot them is during dawn or dusk hours. Here are some tips for timing:
Dawn Patrol
Arrive about 45 minutes before sunrise and watch for owls finishing up a night of hunting. Perch locations like fence posts and tree branches give you the best chance of spotting one. Dawn is also when you may hear their screeching and hissing vocalizations as they communicate with their mate or young.
Dusk Hunters
Barn owls often don’t leave their roosts until full darkness, so watch for them flying out 30-60 minutes after sunset. Position yourself with a view over open fields and listen for rustling wings and eerie screeching calls as they take to the night sky.
Nocturnal Listening
While seeing barn owls at night takes luck, you can increase your chances by listening for their haunting calls in the darkness. Their screeches and hisses carry far across fields, so find a quiet spot to stop and listen on country roads or near potential roost sites.
How to Attract Barn Owls
To increase your chances of barn owl sightings, try improving habitat on your own land. Here are some tips to turn your property into prime barn owl real estate:
Leave Cavities and Snags
When clearing trees and brush, leave some dead standing trees and stumps, which provide ideal nesting spots. Tree cavities are also used for roosting.
Put Up Nest Boxes
Specially designed barn owl nest boxes provide secure cavity sites they will readily use for nesting and roosting. Place boxes 10-15 feet high on poles or tree trunks.
Don’t Mow at Night
Avoid mowing fields at night when owls are hunting. Not only could owls get caught in equipment, the noise and headlights disturb their feeding.
Let Grass Grow
Allow field edges, ditches, and wet spots to grow tall grass, which harbors the small mammal prey barn owls target. Longer grass also makes it easier for the owls to sneak up on prey.
Reduce Pesticide Use
Use natural pest control methods and avoid widespread use of rodenticides, which can poison the owl’s food source. This ensures healthy prey populations.
Barn Owl Threats and Conservation
Though still widespread, barn owl populations have declined in many areas from habitat loss and other factors. Here are some of the main threats they face:
Habitat Loss
Development, urbanization, and agricultural intensification have reduced grasslands and pastures favored by barn owls. Loss of old barns and hollow trees also limits nest sites.
Vehicle Collisions
Because barn owls hunt by flying low over roads, many are killed each year in vehicle collisions. Higher speed limits increase collision risk.
Rodenticides
Consuming poisoned rats and mice exposes barn owls to toxic rodenticides, which can kill them or reduce reproduction.
Climate Change
Droughts may stress prey populations, while wet weather and flooding can kill chicks in nests. More extreme weather poses challenges.
To aid barn owl conservation, practices like preserving grassland habitats, reducing speed limits in key areas, and limiting rodenticide use can be beneficial. Nest box programs and research also help track and boost populations.
Conclusion
With their ghostly appearance and eerie nighttime calls, barn owls capture the imagination of nature enthusiasts across the globe. As nocturnal hunters, the best opportunities to spot these owls in the wild come during the dawn and dusk hours. Look for them cruising over fields, perched on fence posts, or roosting in cavities, listening for their screeching calls. To attract barn owls to your property, improve habitat by leaving dead trees, installing nest boxes, and allowing fields to grow long grass. Though still widespread, barn owl numbers have declined from threats like habitat loss and rodenticide poisoning. However, increased conservation initiatives focused on these mysterious owls of the night aim to ensure their populations remain healthy for generations to come.