Adult body mass is also variable with male owls from the Galapagos weighing 260 g (9.2 oz) while male Pacific barn owls average 555 g (19.6 oz). There is considerable size variation across the subspecies with a typical specimen measuring about 33 to 39 cm (13 to 15 in) in overall length, with a wingspan of some 80 to 95 cm (31 to 37 in). The barn owl is a medium-sized, pale-coloured owl with long wings and a short, squarish tail. The barn owl is found almost everywhere in the world except polar and desert regions, Asia north of the Himalayas, most of Indonesia and some Pacific islands. It is also referred to as the common barn owl, to distinguish it from other species in its family, Tytonidae, which forms one of the two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical owls (Strigidae). The barn owl ( Tyto alba) is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds.

Live birds are also taken and occasionally reptiles and amphibians. Earthworms form an important part of the diet, especially in spring. It feeds on a wide variety of carrion including sheep carcasses and dead game birds.

The species currently breeds in the Western Palearctic region of Europe and northwest Africa, though it formerly also occurred in northern Iran. Red kites are 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28 in) long with a 175–179 cm (69–70 in) wingspan males weigh 800–1,200 g (28–42 oz), and females 1,000–1,300 g (35–46 oz). The red kite's diet consists mainly of small mammals such as mice, voles, shrews, young hares and rabbits. The red kite ( Milvus milvus) is a medium-large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards, and harriers.

Red kite hawk