The Barn Owl Tyto alba is one of the most widespread birds in the world; its natural distribution includes all continents except Antarctica. It is only absent from deserts, northern Russia and Canada, and some remote islands.
It was not present in Seychelles when people arrived here but was deliberately introduced in the 1950s to control rats. On the larger islands, owls do eat mainly rats, although perhaps not enough to make a big difference in the rat population. Because they are good fliers they have reached the small islands where seabirds nest, where there are no rats. Here they eat birds, especially Fairy Terns and some endangered species. In Seychelles, they are controlled. In many countries where they occur naturally, Barn Owls are rare and declining, mainly because of changes brought about by modern agriculture.
Facts:
Scientific Name: Tyto alba
Creole name: Ibou
Wingspan: 85-93cm.
Population in Seychelles: Unknown
World Distribution: Worldwide.
Distribution in Seychelles: All large islands, many medium-sized islands.
Habitat: Gardens, woodland, scrub.
Nests: Tree holes, holes between/under rocks, perhaps buildings. Do not bring in nest material but just make a slight depression in which to lay their eggs.
Eggs: 4-8, white.
Diet: Rats and mice, birds, insects.
Identification: A large pale owl. The only owl in coastal areas and off Mahé.
See more
Species Fact Sheet at BirdLife Data Zone
(Photo credit: Dick Daniels- Wikimedia)