The eastern barn owl, or Tyto javanica, is a medium-sized raptor that belongs to the family Tytonidae. They are nocturnal birds of prey that belong to the order Strigiformes. This is an easily recognizable bird with a white, heart-shaped face and sandy, orange-white upperparts and back. Its underparts are white to cream-coloured. Both the back and chest are spotted with black and it has a short, curved downward facing beak that is hooked at the end, designed for gripping and tearing flesh.
Its unique feathers above the beak give it the illusion of having a nose! Feathers at the edge of its face trap and channel sound waves to its ears, making it one of the keenest hearers of the animal world. Even the minutest of sound waves are channeled to its ears and often on a dark night, it locates its prey solely on the basis of sound.
Another hunting adaptation of these owls is that their wings make no noise and so they can approach their prey like a silent and deadly ghost. Unlike the pleasant hoots of other owls, the barn owl is known for an eerie, long-drawn screech that sounds other-worldly on a dark night! Its appearance coupled with its ghostly Screech has caused this creature to be victimized and killed all over the world, but it is actually a farmer’s biggest asset. It consumes and keeps rat populations at bay and is a natural pest killer. It is only in recent years that the invaluable service of these owls is being understood and appreciated by farmers.
This owl may be found on the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Australia and the Pacific Islands. It likes open country, farms and lightly wooded forests.
It feeds on small rodents like rats and mice, birds, insects, frogs and lizards. These birds are cavity nesters and occupy holes in cliff faces and trees. Females lay up to 5 eggs and incubation lasts for 30-31 days. It is listed under the ‘Least Concern’ category by the IUCN.
Picture Credit : Google
