Barn Owl
Reading level:
Barn Owl
Bird
A ghost-white, silent hunter that glides over farmland at twilight.
💡 Fun Facts
- They have heart-shaped faces that act like a satellite dish, directing the rustling sounds of prey straight into their ears.
- Their feathers have soft fringes that make their flight completely silent.
- They often swallow their prey whole and later cough up a 'pellet' containing the bones and fur.
Name Story
Tyto alba
means “White owl”
What does its name mean?
- Tyto — a night owlGreek tyto, an imitation of an owl's call
- alba — whiteLatinDecode this word →
With its pale, heart-shaped face and snowy underside, the barn owl glides through the dusk like a soft white ghost — exactly the 'white owl' its name describes. 'Tyto' even echoes an owl's call.