Meet The Extremely Rare, 1 In 100,000 Black Barn Owl (6 Pics)

Owls are fascinating creatures. In appearance, they range from cute to downright majestic. Barn owls are among the most common and loved of all owls, but this particular type of owl is anything but common.

Most of us are curious about their black plumage. How these barn owls wear that charismatic black coat? They look like dark knights. Here is the explanation. Their black is caused a gene mutation called melanism, the increased development of the dark-colored pigment melanin in the skin or hair. Black owls are usually killed as chicks by their mothers who reject their colouring. But Sable, pictured at Hereford Owl Rescue with Petra, a normal barn owl, survived because she was born in captivity.