From Blackland Prairie Raptor Center

The Barn Owl is primarily nocturnal but the hunting period may begin before dusk and continue until after dawn, especially in summer when nights are short and there are fast-growing chicks to provision.

Prey is usually detected by sound, and the owl uses its precision hearing skills to judge an accurate pounce into the long grass. It may also chase bats or birds in flight. It has been seen to fly alongside hedgerows and touch the hedge with its wingtips to flush out birds hiding inside.

Birds make up a small proportion of the diet, with most of it composed of whatever the common vole and mouse species are - these typically form 60-90 percent of the diet by weight.