2024 split

Barn Owl split: ours is American Barn Owl

In 2024 Barn Owl became three species, one for each part of the world. The Barn Owl of the Americas is now American Barn Owl.

Updated

Two Barn Owls with heart-shaped faces on a branch, a pale one with raised wings holding its prey and a darker brown one below
Barn Owls of North America, painted by John James Audubon. John James Audubon, The Birds of America (1840–44)

What changed

WasBarn Owl Tyto alba
NowAmerican Barn Owl Tyto furcata

The Barn Owl of North and South America, including the US and Canada.

NowWestern Barn Owl Tyto alba

Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

NowEastern Barn Owl Tyto javanica

Southern Asia and Australasia.

Who decided, and when

  • American Ornithological Society (AOS): the 65th Supplement to its Check-list of North American birds
  • eBird and the Clements Checklist: its 2024 taxonomy update
  • AviList, the shared world checklist: agrees, with the same names

Which one did you see?

Go by where you saw it: in the Americas, it's American Barn Owl.

The American species also has a call the others lack, a clicking call it gives in flight.

What it does to your list

For birders in the US and Canada it's a new name only: your Barn Owl is now American Barn Owl.

If you have also seen a Barn Owl in Europe, Africa, Asia or Australia, the split adds one (or two) to your total.

Check your own list. Drop your eBird download or type your birds: the free checker shows which of them this and other recent changes touched.

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