Barn Owl

It was a Sunday and the commotion in the playground was noticeable.  Since I was at home, my son came up to tell me that the boys had found a rare “white owl”.

It was a Barn Owl, sitting motionless with its eyes closed, in the midst of fallen leaves and dried branches.

Why is it not flying? the boys asked. 
During the day, it prefers to rest due to its poor vision. It must have been chased by the noisy crows and is just resting for a moment.

Is it a rare white owl? 
No, it is a Barn Owl or Screech Owl, and is very common near human habitations. It may be observed singly or in pairs.

How can you be sure it is a barn owl? 
That's because Barn owls have a distinct heart-shaped face, resembling the looks of a monkey. In size, they are as big as jungle crows. They possess golden-buff and grey feathers and wings, the chest and belly parts are off-white, with large off-white legs. The entire body is covered with black and white speckles.

If it is so common, how come we don't see it often? 
Owls are nocturnal birds and venture out into the open only at night when their excellent night-vision helps them hunt down their prey. During the day, they rest in some dark corner of buildings or shady recesses of large trees. Hence, you can hear them more often than you see them.

Is it a male or female?
Since they are alike, it is difficult to differentiate between a male or female owl.

What do they eat?
Barn owls feed mainly on rats and mice. In a single night, a barn owl can feed on 4-6 of these pests and therefore they can be considered nature’s best pest controllers.

Will this owl fly away?
Yes, it will.

In a short while, the owl took off, escaping from the large flock of crows.