Common name: Barn Owl
Scientific name: Tyto alba
Family: Tytonidae

Size:
Body length: 33–39 cm
Wingspan: 80–95 cm
Weight: 300–550 g

Identification:
A medium-sized owl with a distinctive heart-shaped facial disc and pale, ghostly appearance. The upperparts are buff to golden with fine grey speckling, while the underparts are white to pale with small dark spots. The eyes are dark, and the legs are long and feathered. In flight, it appears light and buoyant with broad wings and a silent, gliding motion.

Habitat:
Open countryside including farmland, grasslands, deserts, and semi-arid areas. Often associated with human structures such as barns, abandoned buildings, and farms, as well as cliffs and palm groves.

Status in the UAE:
Resident but local. Found in suitable habitats across the country, particularly in agricultural areas, deserts, and near human settlements.

Diet:
Carnivorous — feeds mainly on small mammals such as rodents and shrews, as well as small birds and insects.

Behavior:
Nocturnal and solitary. Hunts by flying low over open ground, using its exceptional hearing to detect prey in darkness. Known for its silent flight and precise hunting technique. Nests in cavities, buildings, or sheltered locations.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)