Description
Size: 16”
Plumage/Description: Males and females are similar in plumage, adult males tend to be more white on the breast, females more of a buffy-orange color on the breast. Both sexes have a large, white heart-shaped face, with a rounded-head, lacking feather tufts like the Great-horned Howl. Head, back, wings and tail feathers are a mottled brown and beige color.
Habitat: Open habitat, agricultural areas.
Time of year: Year-round resident.
Relative Abundance: Uncommon.
Behavior— Nocturnal: Active at night, roost during the day. Outside of breeding season they are fairly solitary.
Diet: Rodents, small mammals.
Similar species: Great-horned Owl
Best sites: Unpredictable. One of the more reliable places to see Barn Owls over the last few years has been the Prescott Lakes Parkway Bridge over Granite Creek.