Barn owls have characteristic heart-shaped faces. Their name has arisen from its tendency to nest and roost in barns and other human- made structures. They are capable birds of prey, hunting and catching small mammals, particularly field voles. They have some extraordinary adaptations to help them hunt at night, such as incredibly sensitive hearing and the ability to spot movement in very low light. They make eerie screeching and hissing noises, but do not hoot.