First outing for a juvenile barn owl near Canterbury, Kent.

The Barn Owl was given it’s scientific name –Tyto alba – in 1769, by G.A. Scopoli an Italian doctor and naturalist (1723 – 1788). Tyto alba literally means “white owl”, from the Latin word for white: alba and the Ancient Greek onomatopoeic name for an owl: tyto or τυτο.

Barn Owl Youngster On Wall

Barn owl in flight with its prey; this time a field mouse.

The Barn Owl was given it’s scientific name –Tyto alba – in 1769, by G.A. Scopoli an Italian doctor and naturalist (1723 – 1788). Tyto alba literally means “white owl”, from the Latin word for white: alba and the Ancient Greek onomatopoeic name for an owl: tyto or τυτο.