Which owl was the subject of the 1999 book Wesley the Owl?

Wesley the Owl, the subject of the 1999 book by Stacey O’Brien, was a barn owl.

Barn owls are recognized by their pale, heart-shaped facial discs and soft, nearly silent flight. The book describes O’Brien’s hand-rearing and relationship with a male barn owl named Wesley, making it a popular introduction to owl behavior for many readers.

Barn owls belong to the family Tytonidae, which is separate from the typical owl family Strigidae. That distinction explains why their appearance can differ from familiar horned or ear-tufted owls. Their excellent hearing helps them locate rodents in darkness, even when vegetation or low light limits visibility.

The species has a worldwide distribution across much of Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas and parts of Australasia. Local names and subspecies vary, but the heart-shaped face is a reliable clue when identifying this widespread nocturnal hunter.