What is Tytonidae?
{{Taxobox | name = Barn-owls | image = Masked owl mask4441.jpg | image_caption = Australian Masked Owl, ''[[Tyto novaehollandiae]]'' | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[Bird|Aves]] | ordo = [[Owl|Strigiformes]] | familia = '''Tytonidae''' | familia_authority = [[Robert Ridgway|Ridgway]], 1914 | subdivision_ranks = [[Genus|Genera]] | subdivision = '''''Tyto'''''<br/> ''[[Phodilus]]''<br/> For fossil genera, see article. | synonyms = Tytoninae <small>sensu Sibley & Ahlquist</small> }} [[Image:Tyto alba hawaii.jpg|thumb|right|alt=|[[Barn owl]]]] '''Barn-owls''' (family '''Tytonidae''') are one of the two [[family (biology)|families]] of owls. The other is the [[true owl]]s, Strigidae. They are medium to large sized owls with large heads and heart-shaped faces. They have long, strong legs with powerful [[talon]]s. The barn owls are a wide ranging family. They are not found in northern [[North America]], [[Sahara]]n Africa and large areas of [[Asia]]. They live in a wide range of habitats from [[desert]]s to [[forest]]s, and from [[temperate]] latitudes to the [[tropics]]. The barn-owls' main characteristic is the heart-shaped facial disc, formed by stiff feathers. The feathers help to amplify and locate the source of sounds when the bird hunts. [[Adaptations]] to the wing feathers eliminate sound caused by flying. This helps both the owl's hearing, and keeps the prey unaware of the owl. To summarise: the owl hunts mainly at dusk and night-time. Its uses sound to detect prey movement: its hearing is sensitive, and its wings are almost silent. ==Genera and species== '''Genus ''[[Tyto]]''''' * [[Greater sooty-owl]], ''T. tenebricosa'' * [[Lesser sooty-owl]], ''T. multipunctata'' * [[Australian masked owl]], ''T. novaehollandiae'' ** Cave-nesting masked owl, ''T. novaehollandiae troughtoni'' - disputed; probably [[extinct]] (1960s) * [[Golden masked owl]], ''T. aurantia'' * [[Lesser masked owl]], ''T. sororcula'' ** Buru masked owl, ''T. (sororcula) cayelii'' - possibly [[extinc