Although the eating habits of owls differ slightly depending on the specific species, barred owls have been known to eat bats. Owls eat everything from bats to skunks and even squirrels. While it is true that owls usually stick to eating rodents and insects on the ground, this is not always the case.
Sometimes owls can eat animals that are almost as large as or even larger than they are, depending on which species it is.
Some of the other natural predators of bats include snakes, rodents, and raccoons. A majority of owls maintain a regular diet and typically eat the same animals, though some have been known to deviate from the norm and eat these winged creatures of the night.
Jessica says
This was very useful information. thank you
Michael Archer says
I work overnight at a facility as a security officer in a rural part of Tennessee. We have bats during the warmer months that fly around the streetlights eating the bugs. I see a variety of animals including owl,deer,fox and racoons to name a few. Last Summer I witnessed an owl,which was perched on the flagpole, fly off and snatch a bat out of mid-air and fly off into the darkness. A truly excellent moment!