Tyto alba

The common Barn Owl is a species known by many other names; names like the Golden Owl, Ghost Owl and Monkey Owl are just a few. These names have been spawned due to their prominent facial features. Barn Owls have a white flat heart-shaped face that is distinctive to its species and aids in hearing. Their plumage is mostly made up of white to gold colored feathers. Compared to other owl species, the barn owl has a beak that is hidden behind stiff feathers that protrude out from its nostrils. Their eyes are also relatively smaller than that of most other owl species. Barn owls are very commonly found in the south and their species has learned to adapt to decreasing number of habitats by setting up their homes in buildings. Barn Owls can be found nesting in barns and abandoned city buildings. Even though they are known to make nests in human populated areas, Barn Owls require a lot of space for hunting. They need a minimum of 70 acres of land as their hunting zone, and they will hunt and eat various small mammals. Barn Owls have a very unique flight style and they can hover in the air for as long as a minute.

Ty & Al

Date of Birth: February 2011

Ty and Al were donated to the Nature Center in by the Arizona Fish and Game Adobe Mt. Wildlife Center in Arizona. Both were given to the Arizona Center in January of 2014, by a rehabber who could no longer care for them. Ty and Al were then donated to the Western North Carolina Nature Center in April of 2014 because due to their permanent injuries, they both lack the skills needed to survive without human care.

What Makes Ty & Al Unique? Ty and Al are nicknamed Bella & Lugosi by their keeper. Bella Lugosi was the original actor who played Dracula. They were given this name because both Ty and Al cover their faces with their wings much like the character Dracula.  Here at the Nature Center, their formal names are a reminder of the Latin name for their species.