   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.bruce (1999) pp. 34â75 phylogenetic 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 considerable variation between the sizes and colouring of the approximately 28 subspecies but most are between  in length with wingspans ranging from . 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 locat
African_birds_of_prey Animals_described_in_1769 Birds_of_Africa Birds_of_Asia Birds_of_Azerbaijan Birds_of_Cameroon Birds_of_Canada Birds_of_Europe Birds_of_Nepal Birds_of_North_America Birds_of_South_America Birds_of_South_Australia Birds_of_Western_Australia Birds_of_Western_Sahara Falconry IUCN_Red_List_least_concern_species Owls Tyto