Barn Owl Diet and Prey Availability for Conservation

Barn owls depend on abundant small mammal prey in rough grassland habitats. Agricultural intensification has drastically reduced prey availability across much of the UK.

Key Facts

A breeding pair of barn owls requires around 4,000 small mammals per year
Field voles form the core diet in most UK locations
Rough tussocky grassland supports the highest vole densities
Agricultural intensification has reduced rough grassland by over 90% since 1940
Barn owl productivity correlates directly with prey availability and winter severity

Welfare Considerations

Barn owls experience starvation stress during harsh winters when snow cover prevents hunting. Juveniles dispersing in autumn face the highest mortality risk from starvation and road strikes. Habitat management that creates and maintains rough grassland adjacent to nesting sites dramatically improves survival. The Barn Owl Trust advises at least 2 hectares of rough grassland within 1km of nest boxes as a minimum requirement. Rodenticide-contaminated prey causes secondary poisoning and welfare impacts that are often not immediately visible.

What You Can Do

Create or maintain rough grassland margins around fields and hedgerows
Erect barn owl boxes on mature trees or buildings in suitable habitats
Avoid using second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides near barn owl habitat
Report barn owl sightings and nest sites to the Barn Owl Trust monitoring scheme
Support agri-environment schemes that fund rough grassland creation