A renowned wildlife photographer, Brendon Clark, recently had a remarkable encounter with a barn owl, a species rarely seen in Alberta. While searching for a long-eared owl in a park in southeast Calgary on November 20, Clark was surprised to spot the barn owl, which is not native to the region and is uncommon in Canada overall, primarily found in small parts of Ontario and British Columbia.
The barn owl sighting was triggered by some loud ravens that drew Clark’s attention to the elusive bird. Captivated by the bird’s striking appearance, Clark described the moment as surreal and akin to a scene from a movie. He managed to capture a few photographs of the barn owl, a species that had been at the top of his wildlife photography wish list, before it flew away, and he has not seen it since.
Another Calgary wildlife photographer, Jennil Modar, also witnessed the barn owl on the same day, emphasizing the rarity and uniqueness of the encounter. Barn owls are not commonly found in Alberta, with only a few documented sightings over the years. The first recorded photograph of a barn owl in Alberta dates back to December 1999, northeast of Red Deer, with the most recent occurrence being the discovery of a deceased barn owl in southeast Calgary in December 2021.
Due to their low tolerance for cold temperatures, barn owls do not typically inhabit the Prairie provinces, making sightings of them in the region exceptionally rare. Known for their distinctive heart-shaped faces that aid in sound collection for hunting, barn owls are efficient nocturnal predators.
Considered an endangered species in Canada, barn owls face threats such as habitat loss due to urbanization and increased agricultural activities. The Canadian government recognizes barn owls, along with northern spotted owls and burrowing owls, as endangered species. The conservation status of barn owls in Canada is divided into threatened for the western population in British Columbia and endangered for the eastern population in Ontario.
Data from NatureCounts, a biodiversity platform by Birds Canada, estimates that there are approximately 650 barn owls remaining in the country. Colin Weir, the managing director of the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation, highlighted the extreme rarity of barn owl sightings in the province, noting that the center has only received two wild barn owls in the past four decades.
Barn owls, not being migratory birds, seldom venture far from their natural range, making sightings outside their usual habitat even more exceptional. These birds typically nest in old structures, a behavior that contributes to their declining population due to habitat destruction. While barn owls thrive in Europe, where they are commonly found in old buildings like churches and graveyards, their presence is scarce in North America due to habitat challenges.
In summary, the sighting of a barn owl in Alberta is a significant event, emphasizing the unique and endangered status of these iconic birds in Canada.