Feeding baby barn owls

Common name: Tawny or brown owl

Scientific name: Strix aluco

Conservation status: Amber

Height: 15-18 inches

Wingspan: 32-41 inches

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Common name: Little owl

Scientific name: Athene noctua

Conservation status: Not assessed

Height: 8½ inches

Wingspan: 22 inches

Common name: Barn owl

Scientific name: Tyto alba

Conservation status: Green

Height: 13½ inches

Wingspan: 35 inches

Common name: Long-eared owl

Scientific name: Asio otus

Conservation status: Green

Height: 15 inches

Wingspan: 39 inches

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Common name: Short-eared owl

Scientific name: Asio flammeus

Conservation status: Amber

Height: 15 inches

Wingspan: 40 inches

Common name: Eurasian eagle owl

Scientific name: Bubo bubo

Conservation status: Not assessed

Height: 26 inches

Wingspan: 68 inches

Owls are wild animals. They aren’t your typical house cats or dogs who can easily be managed as pets. But, owing to the popularity of the Harry Potter series, people can be forgiven for thinking owls are typical house pets.

However, even though the USA strictly banned owning wild animals such as owls, the UK is a bit different story in this respect. You can keep an owl as a pet here. But you have to have a registration for owning an endangered owl species. If you want to keep other wild birds as pets, you must first determine whether you need a license and then apply for one.

For those that are not critically endangered, you have to have a legal defence for owning the bird. To quote the UK government’s website regarding wild birds,

“To prove you own it legally, you should keep a record of when and where the bird was found or taken and by whom or a receipt if you bought it.”

Legally can mean either of the following:

• Taken under licence
• Taken from the wild and held because it is unfit to be released 
• After being discovered dead or killed by accident, such as roadkill

Barn owls are the most common species that are kept as pets in the UK. But it is still illegal, under The 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act, to disturb them in the wild. It is prohibited to disrupt wild barn owls when they are breeding and remove, destroy, or disturb- the nest, eggs, or the young of a nesting barn owl. A single visit to return an owlet to its nest, on the other hand, is unlikely to result in legal action.

However, the law does not mandate the registration of captive barn owls. But, they have to be captive-bred and wear a close ring in order to be sold under the legislation. This continuous metal ring can be slid on a nestling’s leg but not an adult’s. This method is to keep wild adults from being trapped and sold.

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Let me preface this section with a warning that keeping an owl as a pet is a MASSIVE investment in terms of money and time, and effort. They have very specific care needs. If you do not know what you are doing, you will almost certainly harm the owl as they are very picky animals. 

However, it is understandable if you’re reading this blog knowing what comes next, but you’re still committed. However, stumbling upon an owlet in the wild is also a possibility. In that case, you may be thinking of taking care of it for a few days before returning it to the wild. The best advice here is: don’t. The best option would be to contact trained, licensed individuals who can help you rehabilitate the owlet.

For example, finding a young barn owl somewhere near your home isn’t unusual if you are in the UK. So you may be wondering, what should I do in this case?

• It is very important to note or find out exactly where the owlet was picked up.
• It is not normal for young barn owls to be out of the nest before they can fly. Leaving them well alone is usually not the best thing to do.
• Adult barn owls will typically only feed their nestlings in the nest. Owlets on the ground will usually be ignored and will almost certainly die.
• Owlets that are too young to fly must be placed back in the nest.
• The owlet will not be rejected by its parents because it’s been handled by humans – they have very little sense of smell.
• Hand rearing the owlet and releasing it later is not the best thing for it.

• Always check to see if the bird has regurgitated the pellet from the previous meal before feeding it. The pellet contains remains of food that cannot be digested, such as shells, feathers, beaks etc. Never feed the bird before it regurgitates, as the pellet may get too large or lodged in its gut. This may even result in the death of your bird.
• Don’t feed owls meat from animals that have been shot. Owls are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning, and swallowing shrapnel or pellets can result in death.

Before feeding the babies, prepare food for them. This chore may be a little nasty for those who are squeamish, but the newborns are unable to devour an entire animal.

• To make it easier for the babies to swallow, tear chunks of meat into smaller pieces.
• Many owls have a negative reaction to food species that look to be dead. If your babies refuse to eat dead mice, chicks, or amphibians, you may need to break them into tiny pieces or expose the innards so the birds may be sure the food source is safe and desirable.
• Live insects are a good alternative too. This is because some finicky birds won’t eat other types of meat that are already dead.
• If the owl’s stomach has a solid mass, don’t try to feed it.
• Don’t worry about feeding it if its stomach feels empty but it has plenty of breast muscle, or if it has produced a pellet or a large watery white and/or black dropping.
• You should feed it if its stomach is empty, it’s a little thin on the chest, and it shows no signs of having eaten recently or produces a small greenish dropping.

• It’s okay to utilise raw poultry meat or raw lean beef in an emergency, but not lamb or pork.
• Offer no more than two days of pure lean meat without roughage, such as fur or feathers, and never give bone without roughage.
• Unless otherwise directed by a veterinarian, never feed cooked meat, canned pet food, or any other non-meat food.
• Dead mice or poultry chicks, purchased frozen from pet stores and completely defrosted before usage, are great options.
• In a 24-hour period, a typical owlet should consume 2-3 chicks that are one day old or 4-5 small mice. 
• White mice and yellow chicks are unlikely to be recognised as food by an owlet right away, whereas grey-brown food items are more likely to be consumed.
• Unnaturally coloured foods should be cut up and placed on a piece of wood in the box near the owlet. Half-matchbox sized pieces are ideal in this case.

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I’d suggest you the following excellent video on YouTube that shows an expert feeding an owlet. He also gives a few instructions on how to ensure the owl is properly restrained before feeding, so it doesn’t harm itself or the feeder in this process.

How to Rehydrate and Feed a Starving Owl

Courses like “Animal Care and Pet First Aid & CPR Training” are highly valuable if you own a pet. Do not ignore them, as you’re usually the first line of defence if your pet faces an unforeseen emergency. Invest the little time it will take to complete the course, as this will give you further confidence in handling or dealing with pet animals.

They definitely can. But not as you may think. Owls aren’t cats or dogs who form a rather ‘social’ bond with us. This is what we typically expect from pets.

However, owls will only ‘imprint’ on you. According to Google, ‘imprint’ is-

“(of a young animal) come to recognize (another animal, person, or thing) as a parent or other object of habitual trust.”

With that said, keep the following things in mind before you plan to own an owl:

• Because the ‘imprint’ between the ‘parent’. i.e., you and bird are never truly severed in imprinted owls. The owl may never grow out of certain immature behaviours like calling for food. This might quickly become a source of irritation.
• Humans are often viewed as possible mates or competitors by imprinted owls. As a result, they can be pretty violent and aggressive.
• Imprinted males can be particularly bothersome and noisy during the breeding season, which can last for the majority of the year for barn owls in captivity.

As you can see, it’s not easy explaining how to take care of a baby owl without going into the details as some of the care is species dependent. However, this guide has covered most of the common ones across species and the ones relevant to barn owls. This is because barn owls are usually the choice when people think of owning owls. Also, do remember to check out the YouTube videos linked in this guide as they will be equally valuable to you.

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What Do Barn Owls Eat? (Complete Guide)

What animals do barn owls eat?

What birds do barn owls eat?

How much does a barn owl eat per day?

How do barn owls find food?

What time of day do barn owls feed?

What do barn owls eat in the winter?

What do barn owls eat during spring and summer?

What do baby barn owls eat?

What can you feed barn owls?

What do barn owls drink?

How do I attract barn owls to my yard?

Are barn owls carnivores?

Barn Owl Diet FAQs

Barn owls, like other owl species, are excellent hunters. They possess superb hearing and eyesight that allows them to pinpoint the exact location of their prey in complete darkness. So, what do barn owls eat?

The diet of the barn owl primarily consists of rodents and other small mammals, such as bats and rabbits. They will occasionally eat birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish as well. Although, the latter are preyed upon more opportunistically rather than sought out.

Owls typically hunt smaller prey because they consume their meals whole, then regurgitate anything non-digestible in the form of a pellet. In this article, we will dive deeper into the diet and hunting specialties of the barn owl. Read on to discover more about these fascinating birds of prey!

A perched Barn Owl eating a mouse

What animals do barn owls eat?

Barn owls primarily eat small rodents, such as mice, rats, voles, moles, and lemmings. They also feed on other small mammals, including rabbits, bats, and shrews. Reptiles, amphibians, and fish are occasionally taken, but on a far less regular basis.

Because these owls are nocturnal, animals that are only active during the day (i.e. squirrels) generally do not fall prey to barn owls.

What birds do barn owls eat?

Along with mammals and the occasional fish, reptile, or amphibian, barn owls also consume small birds. Blackbirds, starlings, and meadowlarks are sometimes preyed upon by the barn owl.

Barn Owl in flight hunting for prey

How much does a barn owl eat per day?

How much a barn owl eats per day depends largely on its body weight. They typically consume at least 10% of their body weight every day. However, when food is plentiful, a barn owl may eat more than average.

How do barn owls find food?

Like other owl species, barn owls are superior hunters, possessing excellent hearing and eyesight. They use both of these senses to find food. A barn owl will either hunt from a perch or low flight. Serrated wing feathers allow the birds to glide silently over open ground, while their unparalleled hearing enables them to pinpoint prey in complete darkness.

Close up portrait of a perched Barn Owl

What time of day do barn owls feed?

Barn owls are nocturnal. They primarily hunt and feed at night. On rare occasions, such as during winter when nighttime temperatures are too cold, barn owls will hunt during the day.

What do barn owls eat in the winter?

Barn owls primarily eat small mammals and birds throughout winter. Rodents, such as mice and voles, are less accessible during this season because they are often hibernating underground or beneath deep snow.

During the winter, Barn Owls often hunt during the day

What do barn owls eat during spring and summer?

The barn owl has a varied diet of small mammals, birds, and reptiles during spring and summer. They also occasionally eat amphibians, fish, and insects. However, rodents make up the largest percentage of the barn owl's summer diet.

What do baby barn owls eat?

Baby barn owls are carnivorous like their parents. They will eat whatever meal adults bring back to the nest. Small mammals make up the majority of their diets, but nestlings will also consume fish, birds, and insects.

Barn owl feeding their chick with a mouse

What can you feed barn owls?

A barn owl’s natural diet consists primarily of rodents and other small mammals, which the birds can easily find in the wild. Feeding or baiting wild owls is not a good idea as it could prove detrimental to the bird.

Rodents such as mice and rats, particularly those bought at a pet store, have the potential to pass deadly parasites and pathogens to the owl. Rat poison is another potential hazard. If a barn owl consumes a rodent that has encountered poison, the owl will also be poisoned and likely die.

Habituating a barn owl to be comfortable around humans can also pose a great risk. If you live near busy roads, an owl is likely to get struck by a car while hunting. They may even eventually encounter a person who would harm them.

In the event you come across an injured owl, it is best to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Barn Owls do most of their hunting during the night

What do barn owls drink?

Barn owls rarely seek out water to drink. The birds get most of the hydration they need from the food they eat.

How do I attract barn owls to my yard?

As previously discussed, baiting or feeding a barn owl poses several risks to the owl's health. However, if an owl naturally takes up residence in or near your yard, you may have a mutually beneficial relationship.

Owls are excellent hunters. They do not need to be provided food. If left to their natural hunting routines, the owls will help manage rodent populations on your property. Just be sure you never use rat poisoning, as this could also be detrimental to the owl or any other creature hunting the rodents.

As their name suggests, barn owls often nest in abandoned barns and other structures. They also use overhangs and cavities in trees or cliffs. The owls typically nest near open areas and forest edges for access to the best hunting.

If you live on the edge of a field or agricultural area and have some sort of abandoned structure on your property, you already have the right habitat to attract a barn owl. You can also provide a nest box mounted on a tall pole or tree. Finally, you will want to keep outdoor lighting to a minimum. Owls prefer to hunt in complete darkness.

Close up of a Barn owl in flight

Are barn owls carnivores?

Barn owls are carnivores. They exclusively eat other animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, and insects.

Barn Owl Diet FAQs

How many mice does a barn owl eat per day?

On average, a barn owl will eat three to four mice in a night. They generally consume at least 10% of their body weight every day.

Can you feed wild barn owls?

Feeding or baiting wild barn owls poses a great risk to the owl. The animals you provide may carry harmful pathogens or parasites or could have consumed poison. Habituating owls to humans is also dangerous as it could result in an owl approaching a person who may harm them.

Do barn owls hunt during the day?

Barn owls are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. Daytime hunting only occurs on very seldom occasions. If you see an owl hunting during the day, do not be alarmed. It is not abnormal, owls simply prefer hunting at night.

Do barn owls eat cats?

Barn owls have a varied diet that primarily consists of small mammals, occasionally including cats. If you are concerned about a barn owl attacking your cat, it is best to keep it indoors at night.

Barn owl flying above the grass during a cold winter morning

Do barn owls eat snakes?

Barn owls will eat snakes, however, they are not a regular part of the owl’s diet. These owls prefer preying on mammals but will catch and eat snakes when the opportunity arises.

Do barn owls eat chickens?

Barn owls rarely eat chickens. Most poultry breeds are too large for a barn owl to kill and eat.

Do barn owls eat squirrels?

Barn owls will occasionally eat squirrels. However, squirrels are rarely preyed upon by these owls because they are diurnal, whereas owls are nocturnal - primarily active at night.

A Barn owl eating a mouse whilst perched in a tree in autumn

Do barn owls eat rabbits?

Rabbits are a fairly regular part of the barn owl diet. Although, rodents are consumed most frequently.

Do barn owls eat rats?

Barn owls regularly eat rats and other rodents, such as mice, voles, and lemmings.

Do barn owls eat fish?

Barn owls eat fish on rare occasions. They prefer rodents, other small mammals, or birds.

Do barn owls eat moles?

Barn owls regularly eat moles and other rodents, such as mice, voles, rats, and shrews.

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Barn Owl ᐈ Photo and description ✔

Barn owl is the oldest branch of the order of owls, which can be observed by the richness and diversity of fossil forms. Unusual appearance significantly distinguishes the bird from other owls. You can verify this by looking at the face of the barn owl. It can be compared with a mask, with a monkey's face, or with a heart. The bird has many nicknames that are reflected in folk art. The barn owl lives close to people and is not afraid of the neighborhood, which allows you to keep this predator in the house. nine0005

Origin and description

Photo: Barn owl

Barn owl was first described in 1769 by the Tyrolean physician and naturalist D. Scopoli. He gave the feathered name Strix alba. As more species of owls were described, the genus name Strix began to be used exclusively for tree owls typical of the Strigidae family, and the barn owl became Tyto alba. The name literally means "white owl", translated from ancient Greek. The bird is known by many common names that refer to its appearance, the sounds it makes, its habitat, or its eerie and silent flight. nine0005

Video: Barn owl

Based on DNA evidence, the barn owl (T. furcata) and the Curaçao barn owl (T. bargei) have been recognized as separate species. It has also been suggested that T. a. delicatula has been identified as a separate species known as the eastern barn owl. However, the International Ornithological Committee doubts this and states that the separation of Tyto delicatula from T. alba "may need to be reconsidered".

Some island subspecies are sometimes considered by scientists as separate species, but this should be confirmed by further observations. Mitochondrial DNA analysis demonstrates a split into two species, Old World alba and New World furcata, but this study did not include T. a. delicatula, which has also been identified as a separate species. A large amount of genetic variation has been found between the Indonesian T. stertens and other members of the order alba. nine0005

Barn owl has a wider distribution than any other species of owl. Many subspecies have been proposed over the years, but some are generally considered to be interdependent between different populations. Island forms are mostly miniature, in contrast to the mainland ones, and in forest forms, the plumage is much darker, the wings are shorter than those found in open pastures.

Appearance and features

Photo: Barn owl

The barn owl is a light-colored medium-sized owl with elongated wings and a square short tail. Subspecies have significant differences in body length with a full range from 29up to 44 cm all over. The wingspan ranges from 68 to 105 cm. The body weight of an adult also varies from 224 to 710 g.

that they are more dependent on insect prey and should be more manoeuvrable. However, the largest species of barn owl from Cuba and Jamaica is also an island representative.