Birds of Ireland: Barn owl
A barn owl is the quietest of our owls. They do not hoot but may occasionally make a loud screech. Picture: Larry Cummins
A barn owl is about 33-36 centimetres long with a wingspan of 87-90 centimetres. They are a scarce breeding species found on farmland here all year round.
![<p> The International Union for the Conservation of Nature says that “an ecosystem is collapsed when it is virtually certain that its defining biotic [living] or abiotic [non-living] features are lost from all occurrences, and the characteristic native biota are no longer sustained”.</p> <p> The International Union for the Conservation of Nature says that “an ecosystem is collapsed when it is virtually certain that its defining biotic [living] or abiotic [non-living] features are lost from all occurrences, and the characteristic native biota are no longer sustained”.</p>](/cms_media/module_img/9930/4965053_12_augmentedSearch_iStock-1405109268.jpg)