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by Merfish on September 21st, 2008

Merfish

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What did they call Barn Owls before there were barns?

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  • by notmrjohn on September 21st, 2008

    notmrjohn

    Homeless Owls, " Will hoot for food."
    "Barn Owl" is a loose term used for one of the two main groups of owls, the Family Tytonidae, the owls with the round head ( no 'ear' tufts) and a heart shaped face that is usually lighter than the rest of the bird. Tytonidae includes the screech owl, burrowing owl, pygmy owl and snow owl. The owls usually called Barn Owl by ordinary folks are in the Genus Tyto, the Common Barn Owl is Tyto alba. It has been known since antiquity, but was described and given its 'official' name in 1769. They were fairly well known because of their close association with man and their use of of barns, church steeples, and other buildings. Before their were barns they were, and still are, also called; Monkey-faced Owl, Ghost Owl, Church Owl, Steeple Owl, Death Owl, Hissing Owl, Hobgoblin Owl, Golden Owl, Silver Owl, White Owl, Night Owl, Mouse Owl, Rat Owl, Straw Owl, and Barnyard Owl.

    Comments

    • awww... poor homeless owls....

      mikemega

      by mikemega on September 21st, 2008

    • I know, Mike, I see um standin at the intersection, blinkin in the harsh sun, sometimes I give um a dollar. Even tho I know they just gonna spend it on some cheap rot-gut rodent.

      notmrjohn

      by notmrjohn on September 23rd, 2008

    • Very interesting and informative, only flaw is the last alternative name of 'Barnyard Owl'. Surely before barns were invented, there was no such thing as a barnyard. Maybe they were just called 'Yard Owls'?

      Liked 'Death Owl' though, sounds like a comic book antihero.

      marcus.s.deakins

      by marcus.s.deakins on August 30th, 2011

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