Barn OwlBarn Owl -- South Dakota Birds
| Length: 16-20 inches | Wingspan: 45 inches | Seasonality: Summer |
| ID Keys: Heart-shaped face with dark eyes, lack of ear tufts, white underparts | ||
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
Rather unique in appearance among the owls, South Dakota represents the northern part of the Barn Owl's range. Barn Owls are among the most widespread of all land-based birds, and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Roosting by day and active by night, the Barn Owl's raspy shrieking call can occasionally be heard as it flies overhead. Significant populations have recently been found roosting and raising young in cavities dug into the sides of bluffs lining the Missouri River near Pierre.
Habitat: Generally found in open to semi-open country. Can be found nesting in rural buildings such as barns, abandoned farm houses, and other agricultural and rural buildings.
Diet: Primarily feeds on rodents and other small mammals. May occasionally feed on birds, large insects, lizards, and rarely fish and frogs.
Nesting: May through August.
Breeding Map: Breeding Bird Survey map
Song: Barn Owl Song
Migrations: South Dakota represents the northern edge of the Barn Owl's range. Birds in the northern portion of their U.S. range generally migrate southward in the fall.
Similar Species: Generally a distinctive look compared to other owls
Status: Numbers appear to be decreasing in parts of its range in the United States.
Further Information: 1) Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Barn Owl
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Barn Owl"
Photo Information: Summer 2002 -- Sully County -- Doug Backlund
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| South Dakota Status: Rare resident in southern part of the state, with most moving southward for the winter. |
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Range Map Reference: NatureServe
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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/08/08
