Barn owl, Tyto alba by Gert Hilbink

About "Barn owl, Tyto alba"

by Gert Hilbink

About the artwork

The barn owl (Tyto alba) is a widespread owl species that prefers to breed in attics, towers and churches. The species is also called the common barn owl, to distinguish it from other species in its family, the barn owls (Tytonidae). The barn owl is found almost everywhere in the world except the poles, desert regions and certain parts of Asia. The barn owl is a typical nocturnal bird, but in some parts of its range it also hunts during the day. Barn owls specialize in catching small mammals that they locate by their sound. They breed several times during the year, depending on their location. The clutch, which consists of four eggs on average, is usually hatched in an old building, a hollow tree, or in a cliff. The female and young chicks depend on the male for food. When the food supply is high, barn owl populations can grow rapidly; worldwide, the bird is considered a species of least concern within conservation. The barn owl is a medium-sized, fawn-colored owl with long wings and a short, stocky tail. Its back has a golden brown to slate gray ground color and is speckled. Body length can vary considerably depending on the subspecies, but most adult barn owls are 35-39 cm long and have a wingspan of 80-95 cm. The weight is usually between 4.0 and 5.5 kg. The tail is angular in shape, unlike that of true owls. Other distinguishing features are the undulating flight pattern and long, feathered legs. Also characteristic is the bright white, heart-shaped face (veil), with the dark eyes facing directly in front. Would you like to look at other photos from my shop? Then take a look at https://www.werkaandemuur.nl/index/shop/nl/Gert-Hilbink/shop/27125
If you have any questions about a photo you can email me at hilbinkmeijer@ziggo.nl