Open areas, such as grassy fields, old fields, wet meadows and wetland edges, around farms and rural towns.
Daytime roost is usually an evergreen tree, belfry or barn.
The barn owl has a white, heart-shaped facial disk, no ear tufts and long legs. The bird appears white from below and golden-brown from above, with black specks all over. The long wings fold beyond the tail and the legs are feathered. The sexes can be distinguished by differences in coloration and weight. Males usually have whiter breasts with fewer and smaller dark specks.