Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

'Snoopy' is a male Barn Owl and hatched in 2004. He is flown on our daily flying displays, experience days, owl evening events at the centre and sometimes travels out to our Educational Displays at schools.

Our other Barn Owl is called 'Cider' and having hatched on 1995 is now retired from our flying display team. She has worked exceptionally well for us for 15 years and she is now retired to a quieter part of our centre.  

In the wild

The Barn Owl is probably Britain's most well known species of owl. There are five species native to England. The Tawny Owl being the most common; the others being the Little Owl, Short-eared and Long-eared Owls.

The Barn Owl has declined in recent years due in part to habitat changes but mostly to the increase in roads and the numbers of vehicles on them. They fly low searching for their prey and very often come into contact with cars and lorries.  

Origin: The Barn Owl is found throughout the world. There are about 30 recognised sub-species and all are found in temperate or warm climates.

Diet: Mostly small rodents, such as mice, rats, voles and shrews, but also catches birds. Some specialise in hunting bats. Small reptiles, frogs or larger insects somtimes serve as prey too. Hunts by quartering low over fields, often hovering before dropping on to prey.

Habitat: Open countryside with scattered trees, mostly near human settlements. Often in villages or even towns surrounded by open or semi-open country.