The barn owls (Tyto species, particularly Tyto alba) are the most widely distributed group of owls in the world. They are medium-sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long, strong legs with powerful talons. The term may be used to describe:

The western barn owl (Tyto alba) is usually considered a subspecies group and together with the American barn owl group, the eastern barn owl group, and sometimes the Andaman masked owl make up the barn owl. The cosmopolitan barn owl is recognized by most taxonomic authorities.

Wingspan of males and fe­males ranges from 107 to 110 cm. Up to 35 sub­species of Tyto alba are rec­og­nized based on dif­fer­ences in body size and col­oration. ("The Owl Pages", 2003; Marti, 1992) Barn owls are most com­monly monog­a­mous, al­though sev­eral re­ports of polyg­yny exist.

Medium-sized owl with a heart-shaped facial disc and deep dark eyes; the only Tyto owl present across most of its range; on Hispaniola compare to Ashy-faced Owl. Varies across a wide range, but always note white-and-black speckling on the upperparts, beautiful gray-and-tawny wings, and large round head.

The Barn owl (Tyto alba) is the most widely distributed species of owl in the world and one of the most widespread of all species of birds. It is found almost everywhere in the world except for the polar and desert regions, Asia north of the Himalayas, most of …

The western barn owl (Tyto alba) is usually considered a subspecies group and together with the American barn owl group, the eastern barn owl group, and sometimes the Andaman masked owl make up the barn owl. The cosmopolitan barn owl is recognized by most taxonomic authorities.

Medium-sized owl with a heart-shaped facial disc and deep dark eyes; in parts of its range the only Tyto owl present, but compare with larger and darker-winged African Grass-Owl where overlap occurs. Varies across a wide range, but always note white-and-black speckling on the upperparts, beautiful gray-and-tawny wings, and large round head.

The Barn Owl's species name, Tyto alba, literally means "white owl." But behind this unremarkable name is an extraordinary predator with long legs and a distinctive heart-shaped face. Barn Owls are found around the world and tend to nest close to human habitations, giving rise to a variety of folk names.

But of the 17 species in the genus Tyto, the Barn Owl (Tyto alba) is by far the most numerous and widespread. Due to their piercing calls, they were originally called screech owls in Britain, but their common name was quickly changed to the even more apt Barn Owl by the late 1600s.

Some of the Tyto species that exist include the western barn owl (Tyto alba), the American barn owl (Tyto furctata), and the eastern barn owl (T. javanica, including the Australian barn owl T. javanica delicatula). Within each of these species, there are many subspecies.