Habitat
natural Barn Owl habitats, the species adapted and made good use of buildings, including grain silos, barns and other structures that served as protection from climatic elements. There are certain characteristics of an ideal Barn Owl habitat. These habitat traits typically revolve around two key functions which are closely connected in purpose: food and reproduction. Most animals will reproduce as abundantly as their food source allows and the Barn Owl is no exception. The choice of an ideal roosting and nesting place is not only ideal for their survival but essential to their species’ population.
Barn Owls & Vantage Points Before the construction of man-made habitats like silos, barns, and church steeples, Barn Owls navigated the landscape for safe and advantageous nesting and roosting sites. We call places that lend themselves to prime hunting and safety “vantage points.” Take a look at the photo at the top of the facing page. It shows something known as “whitewash.” This is a birder’s first sign that a Barn Owl may reside there. What makes this type of place ideal for any bird of prey is the way it sits above an open field or meadow. This field will likely supply year-long food for several Barn Owl families living in the pictured rock formation.
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