Flight. Compared with most birds, Barn Owls have a very low wing loading (large wings supporting a lightweight body). This means they are able to fly very slowly without stalling and hover in only the slightest lift (rising air). Slow flight gives the birds ample time to locate and pinpoint prey on the ground below.

The trailing feathers on the back end of the wing are tattered, and the rest of the wing and the legs are covered in downy feathers. As the owl flies, the trailing fringe and tattered feathers break sound waves over the wings as air flows over them. The down feathers absorb any remaining noise created in flight.

Barn owls fly buoyantly and slowly while foraging for prey at speeds of approximately 10-20 miles per hour. If flying in a straight line from point A to B, they fly faster, but there is no data on Barn Owl's flying speed.