Barn Owl

Barn Owl
Eighth in the "Birds of Israel" Series

The barn owl is a nocturnal bird of prey. It has a round head with black eyes close together, a white lower body and heart-shaped face and is able to detect sounds with its sharp hearing ability. It measures about 35cm in length, weighs up to 320 grams, has a wingspan of 90cm and feeds on rodents. Capable of hunting about 2,000 rodents in each nesting period and of completing three nesting periods in one season, even in complete darkness, the barn owl is important as a biological pest controller. It is mentioned three times in the bible.

Design: Igal Gabay

Description:

Obverse: A Barn Owl perched on a branch in a field

Common Reverse of the Series: The Land of Israel at the center of the world as seen from a satellite map. Around the border, the angles and directions of a compass, symbolizing the "inner compass" of birds that directs them to the Land of Israel.