Owls of Ohio - Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Tips fo r Fi n d i n g a Bar n OwlThis is not an owl that one is likely to stumble intounexpectedly. As can be seen from the range map,barn owls are quite localized in Ohio, occurringmostly along the glaciated Allegheny Plateau.Furthermore, most barn owls nest and roost inbarns, and permission must be granted to look forthem in these sites. As a threatened species, greatcare must also be exercised to avoid disturbingthem. By far the best way to observe one is to finda cooperative farmer who has them in his barn orsilo, and obtain permission to view them. Evenwhen they are known to be in a barn, spottingone is not always easy, as barn owls often roosthigh on the hay rail at the extreme top of thebarn, and can blend well with the dusky gloomof a barn’s interior.Another good strategy for detecting barn owlsis to search the floors of barns for owl pellets. Inbarns that are regularly used by barn owls, therewill be many pellets scattered about, particularlyunder the areas where the owls regularly roost.Barn owls often use different barns for roosting,so they may not be present on a given visit. But thepresence of fresh owl pellets is a surefire sign thatthey are using the barn and a return visit may resultin a sighting.The areas of greatest barn owl densities are Holmesand Wayne counties, especially in the vicinity of KillbuckMarsh Wildlife Area; and Pike and Ross counties.barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owlbarnnowlowlbarn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owlrn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owlowl l barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owl barn owlar now lRange acrossNorth AmericaBreedingWinteringYear-roundYear-rounddistribution