Barn Owl (Tyto alba) Caleb G. Putnam Status: State Endangered, Casual (MBRC) these reports occurred during MBBA II, two one-day wonders at Tawas Point State Park, Iosco County, were clearly migrants and may have pertained to the same individual. The third, present for two days in July 2002 in Washtenaw County, yielded possible breeding evidence. This compares to one breeding confirmation and five non-breeding season observations during MBBA I. After the MBBA II period, a single Barn Owl was observed in and near a barn on 7 September 2009 in Penn Township, Cass County and several dropped feathers were retrieved (MBRC 2010, Putnam 2010). Still, it seems likely that the period between the two Tawas Point, Iosco County, MI. 5/17/2007 atlases witnessed the conclusion of this species’ © Caleb Putnam regular breeding in the state. The monkey-faced Barn Owl has the dubious Historically, breeding activity occurred distinction of being one of Michigan’s few primarily from March to June, with occasional extirpated breeding bird species. Formerly an records into October during times of high uncommon to rare breeder in the southern LP, microtine abundance. The species shows a the species last nested in the early 1980s and has marked preference for human-made nest since been only infrequently encountered. This structures, in which a clutch of 3-11 eggs is laid. species is one of the most widely distributed of Eggs are incubated for about 30-34 days and the all land birds, being found on six continents and young are brooded an additional 52-56 days constituting approximately 28 to 35 subspecies (Ehrlich et al. 1988). (Marti et al. 2005). In the Americas it is found from s. British Columbia east to New England The Barn Owl is functionally, if not actually, and south to Tierra del Fuego. Michigan lies at extinct in Michigan. Widespread declines since th the northern extreme of its distribution, where at the mid 20 century are reported from across least some individuals are migratory but the U.S. (Peterjohn and Rice 1991, Marti et al. occasional overwintering is observed. 2005), though traditional survey data (such as those given by the Breeding Bird Survey) are Prior to European settlement, the Barn Owl was lacking or non-significant owing to poor likely very rare in Michigan due to the relatively detection of nocturnal, secretive species such as small amount of forest-free habitat (Lerg 1984). the Barn Owl. Following the intense logging of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the species experienced Many factors are believed to limit the Barn a drastic increase, peaking in the 1940s and then Owl’s continued existence in Michigan. Habitat declining precipitously thereafter (Lerg 1984). loss due to conversion of permanent grasslands Remnant nesting pairs lingered in Monroe to agricultural row crops and urban development County until 1982 (Lerg 1984) or 1983 (Lerg reduces microtine abundance and thus removes 1991). the owl (Lerg 1984). The species is subject to Since then, there have been but ten accepted poor survivorship during harsh winters due to reports for the state (MBRC 2010, Putnam both cold temperatures and starvation (Lerg 2010, Putnam in prep.), all single birds. Three of 1984). Mortality due to Great Horned Owl © 2011 Kalamazoo Nature Center Barn Owl (Tyto alba) Caleb G. Putnam Status: State Endangered, Casual (MBRC) predation and automobile collisions serve as <http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/00 additional threats, and disturbance of known 1> roosts by birding enthusiasts can be a problem. Michigan Bird Records Committee (MBRC). Breeding success may also be limited by a lack 2010. Michigan Bird Records Committee of suitable nesting and roosting cavities in many Website. <http://www.michiganaudubon.org areas. /research/recordscommittee/> Searchable Database updated 29 November 2010. The first priority of future work is to locate any Peterjohn, B.G., and D.L. Rice. 1991. The remaining individuals in the state. Lerg (1984) Ohio breeding bird atlas. Ohio Department solicited observations through a media of Natural Resources. Columbus, OH. campaign during 1977-1979, but no new Putnam, C.G. 2010. Actions of the Michigan individuals were located. Unfortunately, Bird Records Committee for 2009. Michigan systematic surveying for this species may be Birds and Natural History 17(5): 231-280. similarly ineffective, due to the large amount of Putnam, C.G. [In prep.]. Actions of the potential habitat and secretive nature of the bird. Michigan Bird Records Committee for 2010. The erection of nest boxes in suitable habitats Michigan Birds and Natural History. would be a good start to assuring that any remaining individuals have sufficient access to Suggested Citation nest sites and roosts, and continued education of farmers and swift follow-up of all reports should Putnam, C.G. 2010. Barn Owl (Tyto alba). In be undertaken. Ultimately, however, the lack of Chartier, A.T., J.J. Baldy, and J.M. large tracts of permanent grassland is likely the Brenneman (eds.). 201. The Second primary culprit in this species disappearance Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas. Kalamazoo from the state, and recovery efforts are likely to Nature Center. Kalamazoo, MI. Accessed fail without correcting this problem first. online at: <www.mibirdatlas.org/Portals/ 12/MBA2010/BNOWaccount.pdf >. Literature Cited Ehrlich, P.R., D.S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1988. The Birder’s Handbook: A Field Guide to the Natural History of North American Birds. Simon and Schuster, New York. Lerg, J.M. 1984. Status of the Common Barn Owl in Michigan. Jack-Pine Warbler 62(2):39-48. Lerg, J.M. 1991. Barn Owl (Tyto alba). In Brewer, R., G.A. McPeek, and R.J. Adams Jr. (eds.). 1991. The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Michigan. Michigan State University Press. East Lansing, MI. Marti, C.D., A.F. Poole, and L.R. Bevier. 2005. Barn Owl (Tyto alba) In The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: © 2011 Kalamazoo Nature Center .