Western Barn Owl

Also known as Tyto alba, Strix alba, common barn-owl, common barn owl, barnowl, white houlet, barn owl

species of bird

AI overview

I can provide a general overview based on what I know, but I should note that you've only provided "species of bird" as context, which is quite limited. The Western Barn Owl is a medium-sized owl found across western North America and other regions, known for its distinctive heart-shaped face and silent flight that makes it an effective nighttime hunter of small rodents. This species is ecologically important because it helps control rodent populations naturally, and its presence and population health can indicate the overall health of the habitats and ecosystems where it lives.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Species

Least Concern

via IUCN

Wikidata facts

Mass: 580
Image: Kerkuil André.JPG
Life expectancy: 4

Show 7 more facts

Commons category: Tyto alba
taxon name: Tyto alba
Commons gallery: Tyto alba
wingspan: 0.9
litter size: 5.3
short name: T. alba
taxon common name: Tararaka

Sources (8)

via Wikidata · CC0

~28 min read

Article

The western barn owl (Tyto alba) is a species of barn owl native to Europe, southwestern Asia, and Africa. It was formerly considered a subspecies group together with barn owls native to other parts of the world, but this classification was found to be paraphyletic with respect to some other members of the genus.

The plumage on the head and back is a mottled shade of grey or brown; that on the underparts varies from white to brown and is sometimes speckled with dark markings. The facial disc is characteristically large and heart-shaped, with white plumage in most subspecies. This owl does not hoot, but utters an eerie, drawn-out screech.