Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. - Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today announced that they are seeking information on barn owl sightings. Barn owls, which have been in decline for several decades, are a species of concern that have great management and recovery potential in the southeastern and southcentral portions
of Pennsylvania.
The Game Commission has developed a Barn Owl Conservation Initiative to help in
the conservation and potential recovery of this species. The initiative's goal
is to compile existing information on barn owl locations, including nest sites
and incidental occurrences, as well as document new sites and sightings.
"Our objective is to focus on habitat issues by assessing the foraging, nesting
and roosting habitats where known barn owls exist or have existed in the past,"
states Jamie Zambo, Game Commission Southeast Region Wildlife Diversity
Biologist. "We are looking for cooperation and participation in this important
effort."
After initial data is compiled, biologists will be able to determine where
conservation initiatives should be directed. Those initiatives may include
erecting nest boxes in suitable habitat and documenting productivity. Education
and outreach also would be included to inform farmers, other landowners and the
general public about the importance and benefits of this species.
Barn owls stand about 10-15 inches tall and have a wingspan of 41-47 inches.
Their distinctive long heart-shaped facial disk has caused this owl to be
referred to as the "monkey-faced owl." They have a nearly pure-white to dusky
breast with small spots, small dark eyes, and has hissing or scream-like
vocalization. They are found in agricultural fields, grasslands, and other open
areas. They nest in cavities of large dead trees, but more often in barns,
silos, and man-made nest boxes. Because barn owls feed primarily on rodents,
they are beneficial to farmers. An average family of barn owls can consume up to
3,000 rodents during the course of the breeding season.
If you are aware of any barn owls in your area, are interested in helping
construct barn owl nest boxes, or would like more information on barn owls,
please contact the following:
Southeast: Berks, Bucks, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh,
Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York counties - RWD
Biologist Jamie Zambo at 610-589-4913. Zambo also can be reached through the
Pennsylvania Game Commission Southeast Region Office by calling 610-926-3136 or
mailing to 448 Snyder Road, Reading, PA 19605.
Southcentral: Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon,
Juniata, Mifflin, Perry and Snyder counties - RWD Biologist Dan Mummert at
814-542-8759. Mummert also can be reached through the Pennsylvania Game
Commission Southcentral Region Office by calling 814-643-1831 or mailing to 8627
William Penn Highway, Huntingdon, PA 16652.
Disclaimer: This article has been reproduced from http://www.pgc.state.pa.us and placed here for comment.
OwlPages.com is not responsible for the accuracy of any information in this article, and does not necessarily agree with the author's opinions.
Comments
On 2007-05-04, Elizabeth wrote: "We have barn owls in our, of course, our barn, and so much for our mouse problem."
On 2007-08-27, Kimberly from Carrollotn, Texas wrote: "We have seen Barn Owls every night for the last two months on the roof top across the street.
We live in Castle Hills, which is in the Carrollton area."
On 2008-10-25,
from Columbia, SC wrote: "I think I saw a barn owl--I need a picture, last evening. I live in the city limits and my children were thrilled. "
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