Barn Owl Conservation and Welfare: Supporting Britain's Most Iconic Raptor

The barn owl is one of Britain's most beloved birds, but its UK population has declined by more than 70% since the 1930s. Understanding welfare threats and conservation actions is important for those wanting to help.

Key Facts

Barn owls are highly sensitive to cold and wet weather — persistent rain in winter can cause starvation as waterlogged plumage prevents effective hunting
Rodenticide secondary poisoning is a significant and underappreciated mortality cause in barn owls
Barn owls have the most sensitive hearing of any tested species, making them particularly vulnerable to noise pollution from roadside hunting
Road mortality is the leading direct mortality cause for barn owls in the UK
Nest boxes, rough grassland management and reduced rodenticide use are the three most evidence-based conservation interventions

Welfare Considerations

Barn owl welfare and conservation are inseparable. Starvation in severe winters, rodenticide poisoning and road collision are welfare harms to individual birds that aggregate to population-level decline. All three are addressable through individual and collective action. The positive news is that nest box provision, grassland creation and rodenticide avoidance are all within reach of ordinary landowners and gardeners.

What You Can Do

Install a barn owl nest box on suitable property — the Barn Owl Trust provides free design guidance
Avoid second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides — use alternatives or good husbandry
Create or maintain rough grassland margins adjacent to arable fields
Report barn owl sightings and road casualties to the Barn Owl Trust monitoring database
Support the Barn Owl Trust through membership or donation