Where can I buy a barn owl ?

Question

I would like some for my barn but I think maybe you cannot buy them in the USA . . . true ? but if I can, where ?

Answer 1

I'm sure that even though ownership and purchase are restricted in the United States by the Migratory Bird Act of 1918, you can get one legally if you check with the Department of Agriculture, since you want it for a barn, and not to lock in a cage. Here's a link to a query I ran on their site on the migratory bird act, to get you started. If you email someone they'll let you know if and how you can make an exception: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?navid=SEARCH&q=migratory+bird+act&site=usda

Even if you wanted to import one, you'd still have to check with the USDA, because of quarantine and import restrictions.

Answer 2

Barn owls are wild animals, you don't buy them to put in your barn!! They will come naturally if your barn is suitable, supplying shelter and food.

Answer 3

You can buy barn owls but I wouldn't suggest you get them to put in your barn. Just because they are called barn owls doesn't mean your barn is a suitable place for them to live. What is the wild rodent population like? If it is bad then your owls will fly away in search of a better hunting ground. Also if you live near a busy road they can be easily, if accidentally, killed. Or there are other native owls in the area they are likely to attack and kill your owls.
You can do things to encourage wild owls to live in your barn or near your house by putting up nesting boxes.

Visit
www.barnowltrust.org.uk

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-chl/w-countryside_environment/w-nature/w-nature-projects/w-nature-projects-barn_owls.htm

http://www.owlpages.com/links.php?cat=Owls-Nest+Boxes

Answer 4

In a barn.

Answer 5

nowhere they are an endangered animal and shouldnt be availiable for sale.