Poster Galapagos Barn Owl

"Galapagos Barn Owl" by Catherine Sherman. During the day, this Galapagos Barn Owl rests in the darkness of a lava tube on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. One of the world's smallest species of barn owls, this endemic bird of prey hunts at night primarily for rats, mice and insects, according to the Galapagos Conservation Trust website. Endemic species are plants and animals that exist only in one geographic region. The Galapagos barn owl (Tyto alba punctatissima) is one of two resident and endemic owl species in Galapagos; the other being the short-eared owl. Their nocturnal nature of the Galapagos Barn Owl makes them an elusive species, rarely seen by locals or visitors. They are also considered endangered. Measuring 26 cm (about ten inches) in length and with a wingspan of 68 cm (about 27 inches), like many Galapagos endemics, they are smaller in size than their mainland counterparts. Their coloration is darker than their continental relatives, with a rusty brown back and pale underparts speckled with light and dark spots. These owls usually nest in small holes, like lava tubes, volcanic cones or small tree cavities, but they will also nest inside buildings. They lay on average three eggs per nest, which are incubated for roughly 30 days and the young will fledge after 10 to12 weeks.