Barn owls, distinguished by their white heart-shaped faces, are one of the world"s most widespread birds, found on every continent except Antarctica. They live in woodlands, farms, and on cliffs, but barn owls also enjoy roosting in places like bell towers and barns—hence the name. They are nighttime predators that fly over open lands to hunt rats and mice. During heavy rain, they are unable to hunt because their feathers aren"t waterproof, leaving them vulnerable to starvation during long periods of wet weather. Although some see them as a symbol of wisdom and fortune, their haunting cries and ghostly appearance mean they have often been seen as bad omens in rural areas.
Barn owl, England
Today in History
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A bite of ancient history
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National Moth Week
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The Old City of Bern
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It’s Siblings Day!
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La Geria wine region, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
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Fat Bear Week
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Incense making, Vietnam
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First day of summer
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Road-trip worthy attraction in the heartland
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A red fox on the Swiss side of the Jura Mountain range
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Paradise, found
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International Womens Day
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Aït Benhaddou, Morocco
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Joshua Tree National Park
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Adorable activism
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Point Reyes National Seashore
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A winter’s holiday ends
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Winter in the Finnish wilds
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Look to the north sky tonight for the Perseids
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A reflection of Europe s past
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Twas a night just like tonight
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Snow aglow in central Japan
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Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
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Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
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Take the stairs
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Mount Segla, Senja Island, Norway
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Playa del Amor, Marietas Islands, Mexico
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Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
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Ring of Brodgar, Orkney, Scotland
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Black History Month