The eastern barn owl is usually considered a subspecies group and together with the American barn owl group, the western barn owl group, and sometimes the Andaman masked owl make up the genus Tyto. The cosmopolitan barn owl is recognized by most taxonomic authorities. A few separate them into distinct species, as is done here. The eastern barn owl is native to southeastern Asia, New Zealand, and Australasia.
Region
Southeast Asia and Australasia
Typical Environment
Occurs across mainland and insular Southeast Asia through Wallacea and New Guinea to Australia and nearby islands, with some populations in New Zealand. It favors open habitats such as grasslands, farmland, savannas, and the edges of wetlands and forests. It readily uses human structures for roosting and nesting, including barns, silos, and bridges. In much of its range it is a year-round resident, with some post-breeding dispersal to track prey.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The eastern barn owl is part of the widespread barn owl complex and is recognized by its heart-shaped facial disc and silent, buoyant flight. Unlike typical “hooting” owls, it gives a harsh, rasping screech. It relies heavily on sound to hunt, aided by asymmetrical ears and a facial disc that funnels noise to the ears. In many regions it benefits agriculture by reducing rodent populations.
An eastern barn owl takes flight
In Northern Territory, Australia
In flight
A barn owl's talons
Brood prior to fledging, beginning to shed their nestling down
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
low, buoyant flight with slow wingbeats and frequent glides
Social Behavior
Typically forms monogamous pairs that maintain territories around nest sites in cavities, cliffs, or buildings. Roosts by day in sheltered sites and becomes active at dusk. Breeding timing often tracks rodent abundance, with clutch size varying with food supply.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Does not hoot; primary call is a long, harsh, rasping screech. Also produces hisses, chitters, and begging calls at nest sites, especially from young.
Plumage
Upperparts golden-buff lightly speckled with grey and fine dark spots; underparts white to pale buff, often sparsely spotted. Soft, dense plumage enables nearly silent flight. Distinctive heart-shaped facial disc contrasts with darker eyes and buff crown.
Diet
Primarily hunts small mammals, especially rats and mice, and will also take small birds, reptiles, and large insects when available. Uses acute hearing to pinpoint prey in low light, often locating it through vegetation. Swallows prey whole and later regurgitates pellets containing bones and fur. Hunting success is closely tied to rodent population cycles.
Preferred Environment
Forages over open fields, pasture, marsh edges, and roadside verges, often quartering low over the ground. Frequently hunts along ecotones and uses perches such as fence posts or treelines to launch attacks.
