Open farmland, grasslands, and marshes. Nests in barns, church steeples, tree cavities, and purpose-built nest boxes.
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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
Barn Owl
Canto
An eerie, drawn-out rasping shriek 'shreeeeee' — not a hoot. Also gives hissing, snoring, and bill-snapping when disturbed. Chicks call with a persistent rasping hunger call.
Lesser Masked-Owl
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Geographic Range & Migration
Barn Owl
The most widespread owl and one of the most widespread land birds, found on every continent except Antarctica.
Lesser Masked-Owl
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Estado de conservação
Least Concern
Barn Owl
Not Evaluated
Lesser Masked-Owl
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
Barn Owl
Plumagem
Pale golden-buff upperparts with delicate grey mottling. Pure white heart-shaped face and white to pale buff underparts. Ghostly white appearance in flight.
Bico
Pale pinkish hooked bill nearly concealed by the facial disc
Lesser Masked-Owl
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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The barn owl has the most asymmetrical ears of any owl, giving it the finest auditory localization ability in the animal kingdom. It can catch prey in complete darkness using sound alone. The barn owl's distinctive heart-shaped face acts as a parabolic dish, funneling sound to its offset ears.
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More Birds in Family
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