The species is a medium-sized owl with long legs that are sparsely feathered down to the grey toes. The head is large and rounded without ear tufts. The barn owl has rounded wings and a short tail that is covered with white or light brown, downy feathers. The upperside of the bird is a light brown while the underside is a greyish white. The barn owl is a nocturnal predator that consumes small birds, but it prefers small mammals such as mice, voles, and shrews.
Barn owls begin hunting alone one hour after sunset.
As an aid for detecting movement in grassland, they have developed highly specialized low-light vision. When hunting in complete darkness, however, the owl relies on its acute hearing to capture prey. 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.