What nocturnal bird has a heart-shaped face and silent flight?

The nocturnal bird with a heart-shaped face and silent flight is the barn owl.

Barn owls belong to the family Tytonidae, separate from the typical owls in family Strigidae. Their pale, heart-shaped facial disc is made from stiff feathers that help collect and direct sound toward the ears, allowing them to locate prey hidden in darkness.

Their wings are adapted for unusually quiet flight. Fine serrations along the leading edges and soft, fringed feather surfaces reduce turbulence and muffle the sound of air passing over the wings. This lets a barn owl approach small mammals with little warning while relying heavily on hearing.

A common mix-up is assuming barn owls hoot like many familiar owl species. They generally produce hisses, screeches, and other harsh calls instead. They are usually nocturnal, although some barn owls—especially in parts of Britain—may hunt during daylight when conditions or prey availability make it useful.