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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Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California
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Squirrel Appreciation Day
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Travel Sunday: Liverpool
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Burrowing owls
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Atolls in the Maldives
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Let s celebrate cephalopods
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Overseas Highway, Florida Keys
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Birds of a feather flocking together
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Presidents Day in America’s front yard
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Bản Giốc–Detian Falls, Vietnam
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Traveling warblers
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Hey, don t you guys have somewhere to be?
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A tree amid the Tetons
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Aprils full moon
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‘Hello’ from zero degrees longitude
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Up, up, and away for Hot Air Balloon Day
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Don t forget—it’s World Elephant Day
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Tegallalang terrace farms in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
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National Aviation Day
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Astoria-Megler Bridge, Oregon
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Cinco de Mayo
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Pretty in pink, and purple, and red…
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Diwali lights in Guwahati, India
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Naxos in the Cyclades Islands of Greece
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Diamond Beach, Iceland
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From pirate port to nature preserve
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Bear watching in the Finnish forest
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Behold the perfect cone
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Explorer of the sea
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Summer solstice