The barn owl is the the most accurate bird at locating prey by sound. Another trait that adds to its hunting success is its downy feathers, which help to muffle the sound of its movement. An owl can approach its prey virtually undetected. The male initiates courtship by a series of advertising calls, and then sexual chases follow with the male in pursuit of the female. During the chase, both the male and the female screech.
Copulation occurs every few minutes during the nest site search.
Both sexes crouch down in front of each other to solicit copulation. The male mounts the female, grasps her neck, and balances with spread wings. Copulation continues with decreasing frequency throughout incubation and chick rearing. Couples often use an old nest that have been occupied for decades rather than buiding a new one. The female lays four to seven solid white eggs in a dark space surrounded by pellets.