American Barn Owls are some of the quite a few species of owls that may be discovered round Los Angeles. Their bellowing screeches (typically mistaken for the decision of a Western Screech-Owl, which truly hoots moderately than screeches) echo from the palm bushes at evening in nearly each neighborhood. As a result of American Barn Owls’ weight loss plan consists principally of rodents, they’ll dwell and thrive near people. The trash we miss, the fruit bushes we develop, and the luxurious yards we keep are main attractants to rats, mice, and gophers which give loads of meals for city and suburban barn owls.
As Halloween attracts close to, an American Barn Owl is the proper chicken to put in writing about. From their ghostly silent flight, pitch-black eyes, the way in which they construct their ‘nest’, and their eerie toe dusting habits, these owls are distinctive and slightly creepy!
For one, not like the acquainted yellowed-eyed Nice Horned Owl, these ghostly-white American Barn Owls have eyes as black as evening. That is in important distinction to their white, heart-shaped faces, making their eyes extremely putting to view.
American Barn Owls don’t make chicken nests within the conventional manner we consider, both. Their nests are literally created by the owl regurgitating ‘pellets’ onto a stable floor akin to a barn loft, haystack, or cliff edge, then crushing the pellets by stepping on them till a bowl-like form types. These regurgitated pellets seem like hair balls, however a ghastly shock is revealed upon nearer look. Because of the low acidity of owls’ stomachs, they can not digest the tooth and bones of their prey. These leftovers are tucked inside the pellet and expelled from the abdomen and, within the case of the American Barn Owl, repurposed into nests. As much as eight chicks will likely be raised on this nest, composed fully of the skeletal stays of their mom’s prey.
The near-silent flight of an American Barn Owl is made doable by three particular options of their feathers. The front-facing facet of the feathers have comb-like ridges that break up the wind. This is able to usually trigger the sound one hears when swinging one thing round. Their feathers are smooth like a velvet cloak, which additional dampens the sound. Lastly, the prevailing edges of the feathers have a smooth fringe that reduces turbulence.
Maybe the creepiest factor about American Barn Owls is their ‘toe dusting’ habits. It should be seen to be believed. Watch a video on-line, however beware, you’ll want you stored the lights on! When an American Barn Owl feels threatened, it would stretch out its wings, bow its head to its toes, and transfer it round as if swinging a pendulum. It’ll search for sporadically to clack its beak and hiss! One would possibly query: is that this animal habits or possession!?
Creepy habits and traits apart, American Barn Owls are an integral part of our native ecology right here in Los Angeles. As apex predators, they hold nature in steadiness. These owls devour 1000’s of rodents every year, holding their populations in verify.
Do your half to guard these wonderous birds by by no means utilizing rodenticide poison. Poisoned prey makes for poisoned predators. Let’s hold barn owls round to hang-out future generations.
Completely happy Owl-o-Ween!
This articles was written as a part of Audubon Heart at Debs Park’s Fall 2025 Completely happy Owl-o-Ween e-newsletter.
