Birds of Prey

Barn Owl Rodenticide Exposure and Population Decline

Barn owls are acutely vulnerable to secondary rodenticide poisoning through consuming poisoned prey, with population-level impacts documented across their range.

Key Facts

Studies in the UK found rodenticide residues in over 80 percent of barn owls tested
Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides cause prolonged internal bleeding before death
Barn owls consume rodents including voles and mice that may accumulate rodenticide sub-lethally
Natural rodent control by owls reduces the need for rodenticides when owl populations are healthy

Welfare Considerations

Barn owls that consume rodenticides through their prey suffer internal hemorrhage that may take days to cause death during which they become debilitated and weakened. This secondary poisoning represents a welfare harm caused entirely by human pest control choices. The irony is that healthy barn owl populations would naturally control rodent populations, reducing the need for the rodenticides that kill them.

What You Can Do

Use snap traps or live traps for rodent control rather than rodenticide baits
If rodenticides are necessary use first-generation products that are less toxic to raptors
Install barn owl nest boxes to encourage natural rodent control
Support campaigns advocating for stricter regulation of second-generation rodenticides