Barn Owl

The barn owl (Tuto alba) is a resident of mainly farmland. The owl is approx. 35 cm in size and has a characteristic heart-shaped face. It is estimated that there are approx. 3,000 breeding pairs in the Netherlands. A large part of the barn owls breed in or around farmyards, in barns, sheds or stables. About 90% of the population breeds in nest boxes.

A barn owl is generally quickly noticed by the presence of pellets and white droppings in attics or on floors of barns or stables. The owl often lives a secluded life in the ridge of a barn or in a nest box. The barn owl is faithful to its location, but also sensitive to winters with long periods of snow. A well-hung box for a barn owl is vital for the survival of the barn owl. A quiet place where predators cannot get to it will serve for years and produce many successful broods (in years with many mice sometimes even 2 broods in 1 season).

Wood type: underlaymont (18mm)

Lifespan: approx. 20 years

Weight: approx. 16 kg

Dimensions: length 100cm, height 50cm, width 50cm.

Roof: underlaymont, no roofing felt because the cabinet hangs under a roof/canopy.

Maintenance: in principle the cabinet does not require any maintenance because the cabinet is hung indoors, so painting or staining is not necessary.

Check box: barn owls breed relatively late, in contrast to tawny owls, namely from mid-April. In mouse-rich years, barn owls can breed twice, even until the end of August. The box can be checked for broods from June. If there are young, you will hear them 'hissing' when you are close to the box. Be careful when opening the door, do this carefully so that flying young do not leave the box prematurely.

If the box is occupied by a pair of barn owls, remove approximately 80% of the nesting material every 2 years. If the box is occupied by jackdaws, remove all nesting material annually in September.

Hanging: There are usually 2 options:

• Directly behind the facade. For this purpose, an opening must be drilled in the facade (approx. 15 cm in diameter). The box will be hung directly behind the facade on the inside. The box can often be attached to the facade using 2 supports (which we can supply). This often happens when the attic is also used for other activities and pellets and droppings are not desirable. The owl does not have access to the rear space/attic.
• A nice option is often to place the box on the ridge beams (cock beams) in the middle of the space. This gives the owl the freedom to use the attic and the young can do their flying exercises there. Often the box can be slid onto the beams and further securing is not even necessary. So quite simple to realize when you can reach the ridge beams from the attic with a ladder.
• If you would like us to install the cabinet, we would be happy to do so. We can also realise this for you if it requires a custom solution.

Nesting material: Do not place nesting material on the ground, pellets usually provide an excellent surface for breeding.

Hanging location: In barns or above stables or under canopies. See photos below.

Other residents: Wood pigeon, jackdaw. But we also regularly encounter the kestrel, when the
cupboard is placed directly behind the facade.

It is advisable to contact us so that we can guide you to the right box and the right hanging location. We can look with you and give sound advice using Google maps. We also have the necessary map material of owls in your area.