# @nationalparkservice on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CyrTaNsPx0J
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/21021030-nationalparkservice-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/9c318377d7.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-10-21T21:52:07.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** National Park Service (@nationalparkservice) — https://gondola.cc/nationalparkservice

## Caption

“Oh yeah. It’s all coming together.” - Barn owl when humans invented barns.

What came first, the barn, or the barn owl? Called the barn owl for its tendency to choose a nest in a barn or shelter (Sounds better than “shed owl” or “outhouse owl?” Gazebo? Okay, we’re done), this medium-sized owl, with its white belly and face, has a ghostly appearance when flying. Boo! Sorry. Hoooo!!!! Did you hear that? Barn Owls don’t hoot the way most owls do; instead, they make a long, harsh scream that lasts about two seconds. Was that necessary? 

Barn Owls are mainly nocturnal and give new meaning to the phrase “night owl”. When not hunting prey, they can be found endlessly scrolling Instagram, watching late night infomercials, and ordering outdoor party plates that say “owl up in your grill.” Unfortunately, they’re all sold out of “Barn to be wild” aprons. 

What’s for dinner? Grab a plate! Barn owls swallow their prey whole—skin, bones, and all. About twice a day, they cough up pellets instead of passing everything through their digestive tracts. The pellets make a great record of what the owls have eaten, allowing scientists (and countless school students) to study them. Really, right after lunch period? If you take a good look around Petroglyph Point at Lava Beds National Monument you may find evidence that a barn owl had been dining nearby. Or not. They may be actually sleeping. 

Image: A lone barn owl perched at Lava Beds National Monument. NPS/ Nathan Charlton

#owl #owlsofinstagram #birdsofprey #birdsofinstagram #lassenvolcanicnationalpark #barnowl #nightowl

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 59,279
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- **Comments:** 286

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| National Park Service | @nationalparkservice | https://gondola.cc/nationalparkservice | Government Organization |

## Tags

nightowl, birdsofinstagram, lassenvolcanicnationalpark, owl, owlsofinstagram, birdsofprey, barnowl

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