Barn Owl Liftoff
The barn owl (Tyto alba) is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. It is also referred to as the common barn owl, to distinguish it from other species in its family, Tytonidae, which forms one of the two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical owls (Strigidae). The barn owl is found almost everywhere in the world except polar and desert regions, Asia north of the Himalayas, most of Indonesia and some Pacific islands.
Phylogenetic (the study of evolutionary history) evidence shows that there are at least three major lineages of barn owl, one in Eurasia and Africa, one in Australasia and one in the New World, and some highly divergent taxa on islands. Some authorities further split the group, recognising up to five species, and further research needs to be done to clarify the position. There is a considerable variation between the sizes and colour of the approximately 28 subspecies but most are between 33 and 39 cm (13 and 15 in) in length with wingspans ranging from 80 to 95 cm (31 to 37 in). The plumage on head and back is a mottled shade of grey or brown, the underparts vary from white to brown and are sometimes speckled with dark markings. The face is characteristically heart-shaped and is white in most species. This owl does not hoot, but utters an eerie, drawn-out shriek.
The barn owl is nocturnal over most of its range but in Britain and some Pacific islands, it also hunts by day. Barn owls specialise in hunting animals on the ground and nearly all of their food consists of small mammals which they locate by sound, their hearing being very acute. They mate for life unless one of the pair gets killed, when a new pair bond may be formed. Breeding takes place at varying times of year according to locality, with a clutch, averaging about four eggs, being laid in a nest in a hollow tree, old building or fissure in a cliff. The female does all the incubation, and she and the young chicks are reliant on the male for food. When large numbers of small prey are readily available, barn owl populations can expand rapidly, and globally the bird is considered to be of least conservation concern. Some subspecies with restricted ranges are more threatened.
Like most owls, the barn owl flies silently; tiny serrations on the leading edges of its flight feathers and a hairlike fringe to the trailing edges help to break up the flow of air over the wings, thereby reducing turbulence and the noise that accompanies it. Hairlike extensions to the barbules of its feathers, which give the plumage a soft feel, also minimise noise produced during wingbeats.
This flying demonstration took place at Birdworld which is one of England's largest bird parks. Covering 26 acres (11 ha), it is located south west of the town of Farnham, Surrey and close to the village of Rowledge. Birdworld includes an Underwater World (an aquarium) and Jenny Wren children's farm. It is part of the parent company Denys. E. Head, which also owns the nearby Forest Lodge garden centre and Garden Style, a wholesale plant seller.
There are more than 150 different species of birds, over 11 of which are endangered and several of these are critically endangered. These include the Bali starling, Montserrat oriole and northern bald ibis. There is a flock of great white pelicans on pelican island, one of the largest free flying parrot aviaries in the world, a number of parrot species, a seashore themed aviary with a wave machine and a birds of prey area. Some of the other birds at Birdworld include the popular talking myna birds, of which they have one Javan mynas and one hill myna.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barn_owl
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylogenetics
Barn Owl Liftoff
The barn owl (Tyto alba) is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. It is also referred to as the common barn owl, to distinguish it from other species in its family, Tytonidae, which forms one of the two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical owls (Strigidae). The barn owl is found almost everywhere in the world except polar and desert regions, Asia north of the Himalayas, most of Indonesia and some Pacific islands.
Phylogenetic (the study of evolutionary history) evidence shows that there are at least three major lineages of barn owl, one in Eurasia and Africa, one in Australasia and one in the New World, and some highly divergent taxa on islands. Some authorities further split the group, recognising up to five species, and further research needs to be done to clarify the position. There is a considerable variation between the sizes and colour of the approximately 28 subspecies but most are between 33 and 39 cm (13 and 15 in) in length with wingspans ranging from 80 to 95 cm (31 to 37 in). The plumage on head and back is a mottled shade of grey or brown, the underparts vary from white to brown and are sometimes speckled with dark markings. The face is characteristically heart-shaped and is white in most species. This owl does not hoot, but utters an eerie, drawn-out shriek.
The barn owl is nocturnal over most of its range but in Britain and some Pacific islands, it also hunts by day. Barn owls specialise in hunting animals on the ground and nearly all of their food consists of small mammals which they locate by sound, their hearing being very acute. They mate for life unless one of the pair gets killed, when a new pair bond may be formed. Breeding takes place at varying times of year according to locality, with a clutch, averaging about four eggs, being laid in a nest in a hollow tree, old building or fissure in a cliff. The female does all the incubation, and she and the young chicks are reliant on the male for food. When large numbers of small prey are readily available, barn owl populations can expand rapidly, and globally the bird is considered to be of least conservation concern. Some subspecies with restricted ranges are more threatened.
Like most owls, the barn owl flies silently; tiny serrations on the leading edges of its flight feathers and a hairlike fringe to the trailing edges help to break up the flow of air over the wings, thereby reducing turbulence and the noise that accompanies it. Hairlike extensions to the barbules of its feathers, which give the plumage a soft feel, also minimise noise produced during wingbeats.
This flying demonstration took place at Birdworld which is one of England's largest bird parks. Covering 26 acres (11 ha), it is located south west of the town of Farnham, Surrey and close to the village of Rowledge. Birdworld includes an Underwater World (an aquarium) and Jenny Wren children's farm. It is part of the parent company Denys. E. Head, which also owns the nearby Forest Lodge garden centre and Garden Style, a wholesale plant seller.
There are more than 150 different species of birds, over 11 of which are endangered and several of these are critically endangered. These include the Bali starling, Montserrat oriole and northern bald ibis. There is a flock of great white pelicans on pelican island, one of the largest free flying parrot aviaries in the world, a number of parrot species, a seashore themed aviary with a wave machine and a birds of prey area. Some of the other birds at Birdworld include the popular talking myna birds, of which they have one Javan mynas and one hill myna.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barn_owl
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylogenetics