Barn owls are striking birds with distinctive heart-shaped faces and rich golden-buff plumage. Their most noticeable feature is their large black eyes set against their pale facial disks. While barn owls may appear to have yellow eyes at first glance, their eyes are actually quite dark. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at barn owl eye color and discuss why they can look yellow or orange at times. We’ll also cover some key facts about these mysterious raptors, from their silent flight to their extraordinary hearing abilities. Whether you’re an avid birder or simply curious about nature, read on to uncover the truth about barn owl eyes!
Do barn owls really have yellow eyes?
Though barn owls are occasionally described as having “golden eyes,” their irises are actually quite dark brown or black. The pale feathers surrounding their eyes give the illusion of yellowish eyes from a distance. Up close, you’ll see that barn owls’ eyes are very dark. The feathers on their heart-shaped facial disks reflect light into their eyes, amplifying their vision in low light conditions. This pale plumage likely contributes to the perception that barn owls’ eyes are yellow.
Why do barn owl eyes look yellow?
There are a few reasons why barn owl eyes may appear yellow or golden in color:
- The pale, buff-colored feathers around their eyes reflect light into them, creating a yellowish glow.
- Their dark eyes are surrounded by light-colored feathers, causing an optical illusion.
- When illuminated, their eyes reflect a golden-orange hue.
- People may mistakenly assume their eyes match their golden body plumage.
While their eyes are dark, the feathering on their distinct facial disks gives the impression of yellow eyes under certain lighting conditions.
Key Facts About Barn Owls
To better understand barn owl eye color, it helps to know a few key facts about these remarkable birds:
Silent Flight
Barn owls are extremely adept at flying silently. Specialized feather adaptations allow them to hunt by sound alone without making a sound. This silent flight allows them to swoop down on prey undetected.
Extraordinary Hearing
Barn owls have some of the most acute hearing of any animal. Their asymmetrical ear openings funnel sound to their ears with pinpoint precision, allowing them to locate prey in complete darkness.
Heart-Shaped Facial Disk
The heart-shaped facial disk of feathers surrounding a barn owl’s face helps direct sound to their ears. It also frames their eyes and contributes to the illusion of yellow color.
Low Light Vision
Their large, dark eyes are specially adapted to make the most of low light. More rods than cones in their retinas allow for excellent night vision.
Threatened Species
Many barn owl populations are threatened by habitat loss and rodenticide poisoning. Providing nest boxes can help conserve these magnificent raptors.
Barn Owl Eye Anatomy
To truly understand barn owl eye color, we need to take a closer look at their eye anatomy:
Large Eyes
Barn owls have very large eyes relative to their head size. Their elongated eyes measure around 2 cm in diameter. Large eyes allow for excellent vision in low light.
Tubular-Shaped Eyes
Their eyes are shaped like tubes rather than spheres. This tubular shape further enhances their ability to detect faint light and movement.
Dark Brown/Black Irises
As discussed earlier, barn owls’ irises are a very dark brown or black. Their pupils are large and black as well.
Nictitating Membrane
Barn owls possess a transparent third eyelid called a nictitating membrane. It protects and moistens their eyes while allowing them to maintain vision.
Minimal Eye Movement
Unlike other owls, barn owls cannot roll or swivel their eyes. They compensate by having extremely flexible neck vertebrae.
Light-Reflecting Tapetum
A reflective tissue behind the retina called the tapetum lucidum amplifies incoming light. This helps barn owls see in the darkest conditions.
More Rods Than Cones
An abundance of rod photoreceptor cells provides excellent night vision. Fewer cones means they see fewer colors but better detect motion.
Barn Owl Diet & Hunting
To gain a full picture of the barn owl, we should also examine what they eat and how they hunt:
Primarily a Rodent Hunter
Over 75% of a barn owl’s diet is comprised of rodents like mice, voles, rats, and gophers. Their hearing allows them to precisely locate even hidden rodents.
Also Eat Insects, Birds, Bats
While rodents make up most of their food, barn owls also prey on bats, small birds, frogs, and large insects. Region and availability impacts their diverse diet.
Hunt by Sound Alone
Using acute hearing rather than sight to locate prey in total darkness, barn owls can successfully hunt using auditory cues alone.
Low, Buoyant Flight
Barn owls fly slowly and low to the ground, with long, buoyant wingbeats. This silent flight allows them to listen for prey while remaining undetected.
Swallow Prey Whole
After catching prey in their talons, barn owls swallow it whole. They regurgitate indigestible parts like fur and bones as pellets.
Habitat & Roosting
Barn owls thrive in certain habitats and have unique roosting behaviors:
Grasslands & Farmland
Fields, farms, and other open habitats suit barn owls perfectly, providing lots of rodents to hunt. They avoid dense forests and bushy areas that impede their flight.
Cavities, Barns & Silos
For nesting and roosting, barn owls seek out cavities like hollow trees, caves, or human structures. Nest boxes can provide crucial habitat.
Cryptic Roosts
When not nesting, barn owls may temporarily roost in spots that conceal them, including dense thickets or barns full of hay bales.
Share Roosts in Winter
In cold weather, groups of barn owls may share roosts together, possibly to conserve heat. Up to 100 owls may gather in one cavity!
Mostly Nocturnal
As nighttime hunters, barn owls are primarily active from dusk to dawn. But they may occasionally hunt and forage during the day as well.
Distribution & Population Status
Barn owls live all around the world but face declining populations in many areas:
Worldwide Distribution
Barn owls are the most widespread owl species, found everywhere except polar and desert regions of the world.
Declining in Northern Range
Though barn owls live across much of North America, their numbers have seriously declined in northern areas of their range.
Endangered in Parts of Canada
Barn owl populations in places like British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec are listed as endangered or threatened.
Red List Status
The IUCN Red List classifies the barn owl as a species of Least Concern globally, but some populations are endangered.
Legal Protections
Barn owls are legally protected under the Migratory Bird Act in the U.S. and Canada. Other laws in Europe and Australia also protect them.
Threats Facing Barn Owls
What factors explain declining barn owl numbers? Several key threats put pressure on their populations:
Habitat Loss
Conversion of grasslands and farms to developments destroys essential barn owl habitat and hunting grounds.
Road Mortality
Many barn owls are killed on roads as they hunt low over the ground at night. Higher speed limits increase mortality.
Rodenticides
Consuming poisoned rodents exposes barn owls to toxic chemicals that can weaken them and cause death.
Vehicle Collisions
Flying low while hunting leaves barn owls vulnerable to collisions with cars and trucks.
Climate Change
Extreme weather events like drought, severe winters, and flooding can negatively impact barn owl populations.
Nest Site Scarcity
A lack of cavities for nesting and roosting due to loss of old trees and buildings makes survival harder.
Barn Owl Conservation
How can we protect barn owl populations into the future? Some key conservation strategies include:
Habitat Protection
Preserving grasslands and farmlands provides essential hunting and nesting grounds to support barn owls.
Nest Box Programs
Installing nest boxes provides critical nesting sites that limit competition and boost reproductive success.
Rodenticide Regulation
Limiting the most toxic rodenticides and encouraging owl-safe methods helps reduce accidental poisoning.
Roadway Modifications
Setting lower night speed limits in key areas and adding barriers/underpasses can reduce road mortality.
Species Monitoring
Continued monitoring provides data to assess population health and target conservation efforts.
Education & Outreach
Teaching people about barn owls fosters appreciation for these birds and encourages involvement in their protection.
Fun Facts About Barn Owls
Beyond their misleading eye color, barn owls display many other intriguing behaviors and traits:
Acrobatic Courtship Displays
Barn owls perform dramatic, midair courtship rituals, swooping, gliding, and passing prey back and forth.
Male Has Hissing Call
The male barn owl makes a harsh rasping call to attract females. The female answers with a terrifying screech!
Four Eggs Normal
The eggs are laid about 2 days apart. A barn owl clutch often consists of 4-7 eggs that hatch after 30-34 days.
Live up to 15 Years
The average lifespan of wild barn owls is just 1-2 years due to predation and the hazards of hunting. But captive owls may live over 15 years.
Incredible Mobility
Fourteen vertebrae allow a 270-degree neck rotation and give barn owls extreme agility. Their legs can swivel 180 degrees as well.
| Barn Owl Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Heart-Shaped Face | Distinctive heart-shaped facial disk; small, pointed beak |
| Wingspan | 3.5 – 4.5 feet |
| Body Length | 13 – 20 inches |
| Plumage | Golden buff upperparts; lighter undersides with dark speckles |
| Weight | 1 – 2 pounds |
Conclusion
While barn owls may appear at first glance to have golden or yellow eyes, their irises are in fact dark brown or black. The surrounding plumage can create an illusion of lighter-colored eyes under certain conditions. However, their eyes are specially adapted for maximum night vision with their large size, tubular shape, abundance of rods, and light-reflecting tapetum. Barn owls possess many other amazing attributes as well, from their silent flight to their acute directional hearing. Unfortunately, habitat loss and other hazards are bringing about population declines across much of their range. Providing safe habitats and nesting sites, along with regulation of rodenticides and road mortality, are key steps toward protecting magnificent barn owls into the future. The truth about barn owl eyes proves more nuanced than it first seems. Their dark eyes likely work in concert with the pale feathers of their facial disk to optimize their visionary prowess. With their distinctive looks, ghostly screams, and incredible hunting skills, barn owls will continue to enthrall anyone fortunate enough to glimpse these consummate nocturnal aviators.
