‘Barn Owl’

Tyto alba

01.

The barn owl is one of the most beautiful owls living in our country. It has an
unmistakable heart-shaped veil of face. It ranks among the endangered
species. In the last 30 years there has been a significant decline in the
population of this very interesting owl. It is especially caused by the closing of
owl holes in lofts, church steeples; the modernization of farm buildings, and
the fact that it is often the victim of road traffic, severe winters with a high
snow layer and poisonings caused by the consumption of poisoned prey.

vletový priestor – v korpuse SAV sa takýto výraz nenachádza. ‘Vletový’ nie je

spisovné slovo v slovenskom jazyku. Odporúčam prehodnotiť túto kolokáciu.

02.

It is a typical synanthropic species of owl living close to humans in various

agricultural buildings, church steeples, ruins of castles and other similar
buildings. It is mainly found at lower altitudes up to 300 m a.s.l.

03.

It nests in the sheltered niches of buildings, the dark corners of lofts, but also in
the installed nesting boxes. At the time of the excessive population of the
common vole (Microtus arvalis), it is able to nest twice a year, even in the
winter months. On the other hand, at the time of the shortage of food, it does
not nest at all and what's more, it even devours the hatched young.

04.

The barn owl hunts its prey in the open landscape. Its food mainly consists of
small rodents, but also birds, bats and, to a lesser extent, insects.

05.

If there is a danger, it pretends to be dead or ruffles its feathers up, spreads its
wings, clatters its beak and hisses.