This nocturnal raptor is considered an indicator of the health of the rural environment and of the biodiversity of rural environments
The common owl has been chosen the bird of the year 2018 according to a survey carried out by the Spanish Ornithological Society. Therefore, it is a good time to talk about the importance of one of the raptors that go unnoticed the most among our fauna.
Characteristics and behavior of the barn owl
This species is the only titonid in Europe; It is a medium-sized nocturnal raptor with a natural elegance. Its plumage contrasts perfectly, with golden and brown tones, and nuclear white on the chest and face, which has a very characteristic heart shape; This is finished off by his eyes, deep black in color.
The Barn Owl emits multiple vocalizations, although most are conspicuous as hoarse, metallic squeaks and hisses.
This species is distributed over a large part of the planet; and there are three European subspecies, six African, five Asian, eleven American and four in Oceania.
Its abundance and different subspecies make it one of the most widely distributed raptors. It appears on all five continents, and is only absent in polar or desert areas.
Like other nocturnal birds of prey, it is an observant bird whose hunting techniques are highly specialized, which allows it to avoid failure on very few occasions thanks to its patience and its ability to fly in total silence. It is one of the most used birds in falconry.
Why does the barn owl deserve to be bird of the year?
The common owl is a bird closely linked to the rural environment, since for centuries it has taken advantage of our buildings to find refuge. For this reason, it is considered an indicator of the health of the rural environment and of the biodiversity of rural environments.
However, it does not seem that this bird brings us good news: according to SEO itself, the owl has lost 13% of its census in Spain compared to 2005. Thus, in Spain, the barn owl is protected and, therefore, chasing, capturing or disturbing them is prohibited.
Its main threat is the changes that are taking place in the agricultural environment. Traditional farms are being replaced by large monocultures treated with pesticides, which reduce the biodiversity of the area, especially the prey of this raptor.
This is closely related to the loss of the rural population and the exodus to the cities, which also causes the owl to lose many of its nesting areas.
In that sense, supporting local and sustainable consumption is the most effective way for city dwellers to maintain rural ecosystems. This will prevent us from getting closer to a dead rural world and large farms that pollute and destroy ecosystems.
What is the barn owl for?
According to several studies, the barn owl is vital in the regulation of agricultural ecosystems. It is the main responsible for keeping vole pests under control, along with other species of aerial predators such as the buzzard.
In addition, it should be noted that, taking into account the great losses caused by vole pests during the last decade, it is essential that this predator continues to inhabit our fields. As it is, we must protect it.
On the other hand, the common owl has also inspired the collective imagination. This has earned him to become the protagonist of multiple legends and tales of popular culture from various countries, including Spain.
Wisdom, death or night are some of the meanings of this bird, which has appeared represented in various cultures, such as the Egyptian or the Greek. Preserving it is vital for our culture and also for the field to remain field.
