Barn Owl-Tito alba
Marshmallow came to live at the ONC in November 2024 after being transferred from some retiring educators. He had been an education bird for years and continues that job in the ONC Outreach program. He was hatched at an east coast zoo in 2014 and eventually made his way to Utah.
- Average Weight: .95-2 pounds
- Wingspan: 33-44 inches
- Lifespan in the Wild: 4-15 years
- Lifespan in Captivity: up to 20 years
Fascinating Facts:
Barn Owls really do live in barns and are welcomed by farmers and ranchers. A Barn Owl family can eat up to 44 mice per night. If your barn is full of oats, hay, straw and other rodent delicacies you will happily take a Barn Owl family in your barn. Barn Owls do not build nests. They are cavity nesters who nest in tree cavities or a man-made nesting box that can be attached to a pole or in a tall tree in a yard. Barn Owlets (babies) have been observed sharing food with one another. This is uncommon is most animal species.
