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Barn owls hunt small mammals, such as mice, rats, shrews, voles, and lemmings.  In addition, rabbits, bats, small reptiles and amphibians, birds, and insects are also taken.  Prey is swallowed whole, with bones, hair and feathers later regurgitated as a pellet; these pellets, littering the area under a nesting site, are invaluable to researchers studying the bird's habits and effects on prey population.   

Barn owls hunt small mammals, such as mice, rats, shrews, voles, and lemmings.  In addition, rabbits, bats, small reptiles and amphibians, birds, and insects are also taken.  Prey is swallowed whole, with bones, hair and feathers later regurgitated as a pellet; these pellets, littering the area under a nesting site, are invaluable to researchers studying the bird's habits and effects on prey population.   

Barn owls are on the hunt at night; they are able to see their prey in extremely low-light conditions.  They further supplement their hunting with an acute sense of hearing (the ''basilar papilla'' of the cochlea in the inner ear is large relative to the size of the head, at 9.5–11.5 mm long<ref>http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0378595585900681</ref>), which is so powerful they can detect the movement of a mouse and accurately make a kill while the mouse is not visible at all, such as under a snowbank or leaf litter.  Experiments on barn owl hearing in the early 1970's show they can successfully kill a mouse in one pass while in a room under total darkness<ref>http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/num2/how-the-owl-tracks-its-prey/1</ref>. This hearing ability was also the subject of a study to find and correct problems in human hearing<ref>http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070801091509.htm</ref>.

Barn owls are on the hunt at night; they are able to see their prey in extremely low-light conditions.  They further supplement their hunting with an acute sense of hearing (the ''basilar papilla'' of the cochlea in the inner ear is large relative to the size of the head, at 9.5–11.5&nbsp;mm long<ref>http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0378595585900681</ref>), which is so powerful they can detect the movement of a mouse and accurately make a kill while the mouse is not visible at all, such as under a snowbank or leaf litter.  Experiments on barn owl hearing in the early 1970's show they can successfully kill a mouse in one pass while in a room under total darkness.<ref>http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/num2/how-the-owl-tracks-its-prey/1</ref>  This hearing ability was also the subject of a study to find and correct problems in human hearing.<ref>http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070801091509.htm</ref>

==Breeding==

==Breeding==

Barn owls prefer an enclosed space in which to make a nest, one that is not visible to others.  Generally this would take place within a hole in an embankment or a tree cavity; sheltered spaces on buildings are also used, in addition to spaces within buildings and barns.   

Barn owls prefer an enclosed space in which to make a nest, one that is not visible to others.  Generally this would take place within a hole in an embankment or a tree cavity; sheltered spaces on buildings are also used, in addition to spaces within buildings and barns.   

Eggs are laid within a three-day period, with as many as eleven eggs laid in a clutch; they take between 29-34 days to hatch.  The young take about eight weeks to fledge.   

Eggs are laid within a three-day period, with as many as eleven eggs laid in a clutch; they take between 29–34 days to hatch.  The young take about eight weeks to fledge.   

==Distribution==

==Distribution==

===Subspecies===

===Subspecies===

Twenty-seven subspecies are recognized; some authorities consider upwards of forty-six.  Tropical birds are generally smaller than their counterparts in more temperate climates; where different subspecies meet there is a possibility of crossbreeding.  Coloration and plumage patterns differ among the subspecies.  

Twenty-seven subspecies are recognized; some authorities consider upwards of forty-six.  Tropical birds are generally smaller than their counterparts in more temperate climates; where different subspecies meet there is a possibility of crossbreeding.  Coloration and plumage patterns differ among the subspecies.  

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==References==

==References==

[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Birds of Prey]][[Category:Owls]][[Category:Barn Owls]]

[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Birds of Prey]][[Category:Owls]][[Category:Barn Owls]]