OWL 1/16 - Barn Owl

 Barn Owl

Barn Owl is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. It is also referred to as Common Owl. It is found almost anywhere in the world outside polar and desert regions, as well as all of Asia north of the Alpide belt, New Zealand, and most of Indonesia and the Pacific islands. In Malaysia the subspecies is call Tyto Alba Javanicus. Apparently Barn Owls are short-lived birds. Most die in their first year of life, with the average life expectancy being 1 to 2 years in the wild with exceptions.

In Malaysia padi field farmers and plantation managers do provide "barn" boxes for them at their fields as a symbiosis between man- animal. One Owl can catch rats and rodents of a dozen cats. It is a bloody flying mouse trap!

The Barn Owl is a pale, long-winged, long-legged owl with a short squarish tail. Depending on subspecies, it measures c.25-45 cm in overall length, with a wingspan of about 75-100 cm. Tail shape is a way of distinguishing the Barn Owl from true owls when seen in flight, as are the wavering motions and the open dangling feathered legs. The light face with its peculiar shape and the black eyes give the flying bird an odd and startling appearance, like a flat mask with oversized oblique black eyeslits, the ridge of feathers above the bill somewhat resembling a nose