Barn Owl

Barn owl is a pale nocturnal coloniser now breeding in small numbers in northern New Zealand. Its white heart-shaped face, dark eyes and golden-buff upperparts distinguish it from the smaller brown ruru with yellow eyes.

Established birds are concentrated in Northland, using farmland, forest edges and cavities in buildings or trees. It hunts rats and mice by sound over open ground and nests in dark cavities without building a conventional nest.

Barn owl is a Coloniser under the NZ Threat Classification. The small population is vulnerable to road strikes, poisons and loss of nest sites. Northland farmland after dark offers the best chance; listen for drawn-out screeches rather than hooting.