LAB-Barn Owl Investigation

Introduction: In this lab we will be investigating the ecology of the Barn Owl (Tyto alba), a nocturnal predator.

Background: Barn owls prefer to inhabit areas that have warm climates with mild winters. Unlike many other birds, barn owls do not store excess fat in their tissues and either freeze to death or become too exhausted by spring to breed if the winter weather is too harsh.

Until about 50 years ago, the traditional farm was an ideal habitat for the barn owl. Barn owls would often make their homes inside of farm buildings and hunt nearby open areas for rodents.

Opening in Side of Building

Inside the roost

Often farmers will encourage barn owls to make their home on a farm. Barn owls provide a valuable service to the farmer by controlling the populations of rodents that are attracted to corn and other crops that the farmer stores.

Like many avian predators, barn owls are now a federally protected species who’s populations are suffering. Major threats to barn owl populations include habitat loss and pesticide misuse.

Biologists have discovered much about barn owls by studying the pellets they cast. Owl pellets include the undigested fur, feathers, and bones of prey animals the owl has eaten. Owls cast pellets each night after completing a hunt.

In this exercise, you will be taking on the role of a wildlife biologist trying to discover why barn owl populations are diminishing in the region.

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