A recent extraordinary sighting of a barn owl in Alberta has captivated wildlife photographer Brendon Clark. The bird, not native to the region, is rarely spotted in Canada, with its typical range limited to parts of Ontario and British Columbia. While searching for a long-eared owl in a Calgary park, Clark was alerted to the presence of the elusive barn owl by loud ravens.
Capturing a few photos of the skittish bird, which had long been on his photography bucket list, Clark described the encounter as surreal. Another photographer, Jennil Modar, also witnessed the rare barn owl on the same day in southeast Calgary.
Barn owls in Canada are known to nest primarily in Ontario and British Columbia, with only a few documented sightings in Alberta over the years. The first recorded photograph of a barn owl in Alberta dates back to 1999, with the most recent occurrence being the discovery of a deceased barn owl in Calgary in 2021.
The barn owl’s scarcity in the Prairie provinces is attributed to its intolerance for cold temperatures, making it unlikely for the bird to survive the winter in that region. Recognized for its distinctive heart-shaped face that aids in locating prey at night, the barn owl is an efficient nocturnal hunter.
Considered an endangered species in Canada, barn owls, along with northern spotted owls and burrowing owls, face threats such as habitat loss due to urbanization and agricultural expansion. The western population in British Columbia is classified as threatened, while the eastern population in Ontario is deemed endangered, with an estimated 650 barn owls remaining in the country.
Colin Weir, from the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation, emphasized the rarity of barn owl sightings in the province, noting that the center has only received two wild barn owls in the past four decades. The bird’s preference for nesting in old structures contributes to its habitat loss, a situation less prevalent in Europe where barn owls are known to inhabit churchyards and graveyards.
Overall, barn owl sightings in Alberta are infrequent, often mistaken for other owl species. The species’ conservation status remains a concern, highlighting the importance of preserving their habitats to ensure their survival in the wild.