Silent Flight is a photograph by Pete Reynolds which was uploaded on July 11th, 2012.
Silent Flight
The Barn Owl (Tyto alba) is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. It is also referred to as Common... more
Title
Silent Flight
Artist
Pete Reynolds
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
The Barn Owl (Tyto alba) is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. It is also referred to as Common Barn Owl, to distinguish it from other species in the barn-owl family Tytonidae. These form one of two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical owls (Strigidae). T. alba is found almost anywhere in the world except polar and desert regions, Asia north of the Alpide belt, most of Indonesia, and the Pacific islands. However, they have been introduced to control rodents in the Hawaiian island of Kauaii.
It is known by many other names, which may refer to the appearance, call, habitat or the eerie, silent flight: White Owl, Silver Owl, Demon Owl, Ghost Owl, Death Owl, Night Owl, Rat Owl, Church Owl, Cave Owl, Stone Owl, Monkey-faced Owl, Hissing Owl, Hobgoblin or Hobby Owl, Dobby Owl, White-breasted Owl, Golden Owl, Scritch Owl, Screech Owl, Straw Owl, Barnyard Owl and Delicate Owl. "Golden Owl" might also refer to the related Golden Masked Owl (T. aurantia). "Hissing Owl" and, particularly in the USA and in India, "screech owl", referring to the piercing calls of these birds. The latter name, however, more correctly applies to a different group of birds, the screech-owls in the genus Megascops. The barn owl's scientific name, established by G.A. Scopoli in 1769, literally means "white owl", from the onomatopoetic Ancient Greek tyto (τυτο) for an owl – compare English "hooter" – and Latin alba, "white".
Uploaded
July 11th, 2012
Comments (10)
Barbara McMahon
Fantastic capture of a Barn Owl and in flight too! As they are on the endangered species here in Canada it would be amazing to see one in their natural environment. v
Pete Reynolds replied:
They are endangered here too Barbara, it is amazing how delicate these beautiful birds are.
Tautvydas Davainis
awesome photography! The detail in this photograph is wonderful. I love your composition! – Tautvydas:)
Nina Prommer
OMG - no way, you caught this owl in flight? is it a snowy owl, I love it v/f
Pete Reynolds replied:
Hi Nina, thank you and it is a Barn Owl. I have also updated the side bar info.