The Barn Owl is a very local breeding resident, mainly restricted to urban areas as most birds in our area breed in buildings or old monuments. It is nocturnal, although birds often begin hunting in the late evening and may continue until just after dawn. The habit of quartering the ground after rodent prey and their very pale plumage makes them reasonably easy to see compared with many other owls. Their ghostly appearance is enhanced when they are seen in the artificial lighting of urban areas. TThey have a strong attachment to successful nest sites, so known pairs can be readily located over several years. They are occasionally seen flying over the roads as they move from roost to feeding sites. In open country they have a characteristic slow, low flight with frequent stops for hovering over potential prey.

The most usual contact with a Barn Owl is when the eerie, shrieking call of the adults is heard particularly during the breeding season from February to June. If the nest is approached the strange hissing and snoring of the young may be heard. The Barn Owl has one of the widest distributions of any bird in the world.