Bird
American Barn Owl
Silent flight, heart-shaped face
Where the Night Shift Works
Rare in Maine, barn owls prefer open farmland, grasslands, and old barns or buildings where they can roost and nest.
Night Owl Notes
Barn owls don’t hoot, they hiss and screech, which is unsettling. Their silent flight and eerie calls have earned them a spooky reputation, but they’re one of the most helpful hunters around.
Quick Facts
Average Size
About 1–1½ feet long with a wingspan up to 3½ feet, barn owls are light, long-winged, and built for near-silent flight.
What's on the Menu
Mostly small mammals like mice and voles making them incredible natural pest control.
The Look
Pale, ghostly plumage with a signature heart-shaped face and dark eyes that seem to glow in low light.
