Tytonidae

The Tytonidae family includes barn owls, such as the barn owls Tyto and the bay owls Phodilus. They are one of the two families of owls, the other being the true owls or typical owls, Strigidae. These owls are medium to large with big heads and special heart-shaped faces. They have long, strong legs with powerful talons.

Tytonidae owls live in many places around the world, but they do not like very cold winters, so they are not found in northern areas of Europe, Asia, and North America. They also avoid the driest deserts. Instead, they live in many different habitats, from semi-deserts to forests, and from temperate areas to the tropics. Some species, like the red owl, are not well known, while the western barn owl Tyto alba is one of the most familiar owls in the world.

Barn owls are mostly active at night and usually stay in one place instead of moving around. They live either alone or in pairs. Sadly, five species of barn owls are in danger, and some island species have disappeared long ago.

Taxonomy and systematics

Barn owls are divided into two main groups: the Tytoninae, which includes the western barn owl, and the Phodilinae or bay owls. These groups share a common ancestor from a long time ago, during the Oligocene period. Scientists have discovered fossils of ancient barn owls, such as Tyto ostologa, which are now extinct.

The ashy-faced owl was once thought to be part of the western barn owl group, but DNA evidence shows it is different. Some barn owls, like the American barn owl, are now recognized as separate species. There are many different types, or subspecies, of barn owls, ranging in color and size.

Extant genera

Two living groups of barn owls are recognized:

• Genus Tyto – barn owls, grass owls and masked owls (18 species)
• Genus Phodilus – bay owls (2 species)

Genus Tyto

Some species in the Tyto group include the western barn owl (Tyto alba), the American barn owl (Tyto furcata), and the eastern barn owl (T. javanica, which includes the Australian barn owl T. javanica delicatula). Each of these species has many subspecies. The western barn owl lives in Africa and parts of Asia, the American barn owl is found from North to South America, and the Australian barn owl lives in Australia, New Zealand, Polynesia, and Asia.

Genus Phodilus

This group includes the Oriental bay owl (P. badius) and the Sri Lanka bay owl (P. assimilis). These owls live in tropical Asia and Sri Lanka.

Extinct genera

The fossil record shows that barn owls have been around since the Eocene. Over time, they faced competition from true owls. Some ancient barn owl groups, known only from fossils, include:

• Genus Nocturnavis (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene) – includes Bubo incertus
• Genus Necrobyas (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene – Late Miocene, France) – includes Bubo arvernensis and Paratyto
• Genus Selenornis (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene of Quercy, France) – includes Asio henrici
• Genus Prosybris (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene of Quercy(?) – Early Miocene of France and Austria)

Placement unresolved

• Tytonidae gen. et sp. indet. "TMT 164" (Middle Miocene of Grive-Saint-Alban, France) - Prosybris?
• Genus Palaeotyto (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene) from Quercy, France. Placement in this family is tentative, it may instead belong to the family Sophiornithidae.
• Genus Palaeobyas (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene) from Quercy, France. Placement in this family is tentative, it may instead belong to the family Sophiornithidae.

Former genera

Some fossils once thought to be barn owls turned out to be other birds. For example, the so-called "giant barn owl" from Germany was actually a type of crane, and bones found on Easter Island belong to a seabird, not an owl.

Description

Barn owls have a special heart-shaped face made from stiff feathers. These feathers help the owl hear sounds better when hunting. The feathers on their wings also stop noise when they fly, so their prey cannot hear them coming. Barn owls are usually darker on their backs and lighter on their fronts, often orange-brown in color, but they can look different even within the same species.

Bay owls look similar to barn owls but have a divided face, small ear-like tufts, and are usually smaller in size.

Distribution

The barn owl is one of the most widespread birds on Earth, living on every continent except Antarctica. You can find them in Europe (except for some northern areas), most of Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Australia, many Pacific Islands, and all of North, Central, and South America. These owls usually stay in one place once they find a good home, even if better food spots are nearby. Young barn owls in the British Isles often travel along rivers, moving about 9 kilometers from where they were born. In Europe, they can travel much farther—sometimes up to 1,500 kilometers! In the United States, they might move between 80 and 320 kilometers, with some traveling as far as 1,760 kilometers. In Africa, they've been known to travel up to 1,000 kilometers, and in Australia, they move north in dry seasons and south in wet seasons, sometimes following rodent populations. Occasionally, barn owls have been spotted on islands like Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, and New Zealand, showing they can cross oceans. In 2008, barn owls were recorded breeding for the first time in New Zealand. They have also been introduced to the Hawaiian island of Kauai to help control rodents, though they have sometimes eaten native birds.

Behaviour and ecology

Barn owls hunt during twilight or at night, using their keen hearing and vision to locate prey. They can fly slowly and quietly, hovering over areas where prey might hide. Their long legs and powerful talons help them catch small animals like rodents, birds, lizards, and insects. These owls often eat their food whole, including bones and fur.

Barn owls usually breed during the dry season in tropical areas and between March and June in temperate climates. They build nests and lay eggs when there is plenty of food available. Their breeding patterns depend on the local climate and the abundance of small animals they eat.

Status and conservation

The barn owl is a common bird in many places and is not in danger worldwide. It is one of the most widespread birds of prey, found in many parts of the world. However, some areas have seen fewer barn owls because of changes in farming, loss of grassland habitats, and the use of certain chemicals that harm them.

In some places like parts of the United States and Canada, barn owls are rarer and sometimes listed as endangered. Conservation efforts, such as placing special nest boxes for the owls, have helped increase their numbers. These nest boxes provide safe places for barn owls to live and are often placed on buildings. Having more barn owls also helps control pests like rodents naturally.

Cultural aspects

Barn owls have had different meanings in various cultures. In some places, people thought they were bad omens or associated them with witchcraft. For example, in Thailand, people believe that if a barn owl flies over a house, someone in that house might die. In India, however, the barn owl is linked to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune. These different views show how cultures see barn owls in many ways.