Athena
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
Athena came to Schlitz Audubon when she was one month old to grow into her role as an education bird. She hatched at World Bird Sanctuary with the goal to educate on protecting natural habitats and restoring Barn Owls to their native Midwestern range.
Hatch Year: 2017
Average Weight: 1-1 ½ pounds | Athena: 1.2 pounds
Wingspan: 39-49 in
Lifespan in the Wild: 2 years
Lifespan in Captivity: 15 years
Fun Fact: Barn Owls have the some of the best hearing abilities in the animal kingdom. Athena’s head is almost always moving as she uses her asymmetrical ears to triangulate the location of the sounds she hears.
About my Species: Barn Owls are found on every continent except Antarctica and are the most widespread of any owl species. Their tall, white bodies and eerie vocalizations have earned them the nickname “the Ghost Owl.” They are endangered in the Midwest due to habitat loss and ingestion of rodenticide. The Barn Owl’s life expectancy reflects that so many Barn Owls dying young due to poisoning.
