Barn owl

The barn owl is pale, long-winged and long-legged, with white underparts and a white heart-shaped face. One of the most widespread of all birds, it is often incorrectly called a “screech owl” in parts of the U.S. because of its ear-shattering scream. The real Western screech owl (megascops kennicottii) is much smaller – 8-9 inches long – with distinct ear tufts; barn owls may be 13-16 inches long with ears flat to the head.

Barn owls also can hiss like a snake, and when captured or cornered, the barn owl will throw itself on its back and flail with sharp-taloned feet as an effective defense.

What they eat: Primarily small vertebrates, especially rodents. They also eat birds, reptiles and sometimes insects.

Where to find them: On parts of every continent except Antarctica.

Claim to fame: Pound for pound, a barn owl can consume more rodent pests than nearly any other creature. This makes it one of the most economically valuable wildlife animals for farmers, who often find owls more effective than poisons at controlling the rodent populations that can damage their fields and eat up livestock feed.Source: Wikipedia