Barn Owl (Wildlife by CollectA)

The barn owl (Tyto alba) is one of the most widely distributed birds in the world, and the most widely distributed owl species, living on every continent except Antarctica. As such, it features prominently in many different myths and legends around the world. Going by ominous names such as ghost owl, death owl, and demon owl you can get an idea of how the barn owl typically figures into local beliefs, making it the perfect animal to review this Halloween season.

In Mexico the Tzeltal people associate the barn owl with disease. On the Iberian Peninsula it was believed that barn owls drank the oil from church lamps. In South Africa, they’re associated with witchcraft. In Japan they’re demons. These negative associations have led to the persecution of barn owls, but much like other spooky animals such as snakes and spiders, barn owls provide important rodent control in and around the human structures they often inhabit.

Not surprisingly, among owls, the barn owl is probably the most favored by toy companies. For my collection (and this review) I decided to go with the CollectA 2006 barn owl. This figure measures about 2” (50.8 mm) in length and stands about 1.5” (38.1 mm) tall. Barn owls typically measure 13-15” (33-39 cm) with a wingspan of 39-49” (100-125 cm). Females are larger than males. This puts the CollectA barn owl at about 1/6-1/8 in scale.  

The CollectA barn owl is presented in a standing posture with its head looking leftward. Despite its small size and age (16 years) it is a well-executed little toy with many fine details. The face is appropriately pale and heart shaped, with large shiny dark eyes that give the owl a spooky, otherworldly appearance. The wings are folded over the back and sculpted with intricate feather detail. The tail is appropriately short and square shaped, and the legs are accurately feathered.

In addition to its unsettling appearance the barn owl earns its spooky reputation with many other attributes. It’s nocturnal and yet, pale in color. Giving the owl a ghostly appearance as it silently flies over fields at night. The barn owl also dwells in foreboding places, not just barns but any old, abandoned building, including churches and adjacent cemeteries which leads to yet another common name, the church owl. Barn owls also do not hoot but instead vocalize with shrill and eerie shrieks, hisses, and screams.

CollectA’s barn owl is mottled brown above with a white underside. Gray spotting is distributed along the underside and wings and dark brown splotches on the wings gives them a barred appearance. The feet are gray with dark gray talons and the beak is yellow. A variant of this toy exists with a bolder, brighter paintjob, but I find the subdued coloration of this figure more realistic and appealing.

If you’re in the market for a barn owl then I highly recommend the CollectA barn owl, a diminutive figure that effectively captures the life appearance of its real-world counterpart. When it comes to barn owls however, we’re spoiled for choice, and Safari, Papo, and Mojo all have their own decent renditions. The CollectA barn owl is still in production and retails for about $3.99.