Owls are divided into two families-True Owls (Strigidae) and the older family of Tytonidae, to which only Barn Owl and Bay Owl belongs to. Barn Owls can be thought of as the more ancient version of “Owl”. They do not hoot like True Owls, but instead make a hoarse “Khurrew” noise. In addition, They have heart-shaped faces, longer beaks and heads, and forked tails. Barn Owls live in Europe and the Western Hemisphere, and Bay Owls live in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia. This makes the Barn Owl Sub-Family, one of the most widespread land Birds in the world.
A master mouser, Barn Owl (Tyto alba) can pinpoint the locations of small Rodents with only sound. As a nocturnal hunter, Barn Owl has such an acute sense of hearing that She can swoop down on Mouse, in the dark night. Because Barn Owl is so good at hunting, many people think She spends many hours just loafing about.
In Europe, Barn Owl had a sinister reputation because people associated Her with darkness and death. Best known for her eerie skeletal appearance and bloodcurdling scream, Barn Owl was regarded by the British as the Bird of Doom. Since She nests in church belfries and abandoned buildings, Barn Owl became associated with ghosts.
In Mongolia, Barn Owl is a Bird of Life. Genghis Khan attributed Her with saving his life. While being pursued by his enemies, Khan hid in a bush. Fortunately for him, Barn Owl decided to roost on that particular bush. His enemies thought that, since Barn Owl was there, Genghis Khan had to be elsewhere. Since then, Mongolians held Barn Owl in high esteem.
Barn Owl teaches about the power of life and death. In folklore, Barn Owl either saved people or predicted their death. In reality, She is a secret benefactor to people, for She kills numerous Rodents that bring diseases to people. Barn Owl provides life to ordinary people in this way. Silently killing Rats hiding in the dark, She demonstrates the wise use of the power of life and death. Barn Owl cautions people to use this power only for good.
Purchase children's nature books about Barn Owls from Amazon.com.
Purchase nature books about Barn Owls from Amazon.com. Buy Barn Owl Bird houses from A Bird's World.
Va. Carper
January 26, 2008