Open 361 Days a Year: Admissions 10:00am – 3:30pm; park closes at 4:30pm

Due to significant flooding and impassable roads in our region from Tropical Storm Helene, the WNC Nature Center is temporarily CLOSED.

All of our animals are safe and accounted for, and there is minimal damage to the habitats. However, Swannanoa River Road and the main bridge to the Nature Center were washed away, and it will take time to reopen. We will undoubtedly need your support as we rebuild.

Donations can be made at www.wildwnc.org/donate.

Barn Owl

Tyto furcata

Appearance: Barn owls have a white, flat, heart-shaped face that is distinctive to its species and acts like a satellite dish to funnel sounds to their ears. Their plumage is mostly made up of white to gold colored feathers. This unique appearance has earned them nicknames like the Golden Owl, Ghost Owl, and Monkey Owl. 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 most other owl species.

Range: Barn owls are very commonly found in the south and live all across the United States. Their species has learned to adapt to a decreasing number of habitats by building nest in human populated areas. Barn owls can be found nesting in barns and abandoned city buildings.

Diet: Barn owls are carnivores and 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 such as mice and voles. Barn owls have a unique flight style, and they can hover in the air for as long as a minute.

Boris

Date of Birth: April 2009

Boris joined the Birds of Prey area in December 2021. He came to the WNC Nature Center from Ross Park Zoo in Binghamton, New York. Boris is named after Boris Karloff, who acted in the 1930s films Frankenstein and The Mummy.