Barn owl populations have declined significantly across Europe and North America, with secondary rodenticide poisoning from pest control a major contributing factor alongside habitat loss.
Barn owl welfare is affected by both habitat loss and direct toxicological harm from rodenticides. Anticoagulant poisoning causes internal bleeding that is painful and debilitating over days before death. An owl that has consumed enough poisoned rodents will experience progressive weakness and hemorrhage — a welfare harm entirely caused by human pest management choices. Alternative rodent management approaches including barn owl nest box programs, habitat management to encourage natural predator populations, and targeted snap trapping create rodent control without rodenticide cascades. Farmers who install nest boxes and maintain rough field margins often reduce rodent problems while actively supporting barn owl welfare.