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This popular legend, despite being widespread, has no foundation. “Although most of the birds are monogamous, there are no studies that demonstrate whether or not the barn owl is faithful”, says biologist Adriana Akemi Kuniy, from the Brazilian Society of Ornithology.
What is known is that the little house is built together by the male and the female, also known as the mud ladybug or mud marie. For its installation, the couple usually chooses open places such as lampposts, isolated trees and gate beams. Together, they take approximately 18 days to build the nest, which is shaped like an oven and is made with damp clay and a little manure, mixed with straw. A prodigy of nature, this little house is made up of a clay ball about 30 centimeters in diameter, divided into two chambers and with walls 5 centimeters thick. The larger compartment is used by the female to lay her eggs, which happens from September onwards.