Great Horned Owl and owlets!

April 26, 2018 in Great Horned Owl

_W7I4891-001Under clear blue skies and beautiful late day sun, winds form W at 13MPH and gusting up to 25MPH, had nice looks at female Great Horned Owl and two owlets.  They were keeping a close eye on a nearby Raven that was making loud threat vocalizations and strafing the nest but from a distance.  It caught the full attention of the female, and whatever the female watches, the owlets pay close attention.  Only when an owl nest is left unattended or an adult is driven from the nest by human activity is there predation on eggs and nestlings by crows or ravens.

 

 

 

_W7I4968-001Here is a quick framework of growth and development. Owlets exhibit hostile behavior at approach of nearby intruders by 15 days: hisses and sways from side to side, claps bill and raises wing stubs. By 19 days, capable of exaggerated head movements while observing objects. Curiosity fully evident by 21 d; grasps objects in nest with toes and nibbles them. Able to feed self by 20-27 days (although female may continue to feed nestlings through 5th wk). Drops pellets after third week, and defecates in nest until about fourth week; thereafter attempts to eliminate over edge of nest.  Able to climb well by 40 days, at which time young may leave the nest and clamber out along a tree branch or along a ledge. Young fully feathered and capable of flight by 45-49 d.

Literature cited:

Artuso, C., C. S. Houston, D. G. Smith, and C. Rohner (2013). Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus), version 2.0. In The Birds of North America (A. F. Poole, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bna.372

Great Horned Owl on nest: Middlesex County

April 18, 2017 in Great Horned Owl

_W7I5532-001On a very sunny afternoon with bright sun and few clouds, made a visit in Groton to a Great Blue Heron Rookery to enjoy the sights!  The wind was blowing from southeast at 15MPH and temps were low 50F.  Observed a pair of owlets in a former heron next while the Great Blues were flying by in constant motion.  These two owlets were very cute and took turns standing and crouching low always with a eye in our direction!

Great Horned Owl: Essex County

April 12, 2017 in Great Horned Owl

_W7I4629-001A beautiful morning walking around from the end of Crane Neck St. in West Newbury with fairly bright sun, a bit of haze, light winds from the east at 5MPH, and temps just over 60F.  Observed a female Great Horned Owl in incubation posture on a distant nest in the midst of a former Great Blue Heron Rookery.  Based on the calendar, the owlets likely hatched a few weeks ago and they will be visible very soon with their white fluffy down!

Great Horned Owl on nest!

April 11, 2017 in Great Horned Owl

_W7I4344-001Under overcast skies, winds SW at 10MPH, and warm temps in low 80’s, made a visit to the Ward Reservation to observe the female Great Horned Owl brooding her young.  At this point in the calendar, the chick or chick may be around 4-5 weeks old and making an appearance soon around the level of the nest!  The female is now sitting much higher in the nest indicating a growing brood below!

Great Horned Owls: branching!

May 18, 2016 in Great Horned Owl

The young Great Horned Owls are becoming more mobile around their nest. They are stretching and testing their wings, and actively climbing around nearby branches. Quite a sight! Had a wonderful opportunity to observe the owlets late afternoon Wednesday in stunning late day sunshine.

For those with an interest, 5 photos posted:

http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/163252323

 

 

 

Great Horned Owl and owlets!

May 18, 2016 in Great Horned Owl

CF2C0185-001The Great Horned Owlets are growing bigger each day with fledge time closing in!

Great Horned Owl and owlet!

May 11, 2016 in Great Horned Owl

CF2C9039-001The Great Horned Owlets just keep growing and getting bigger!  They will be branching soon and then fledging and making first flight!

Great Horned Owl and owlets

May 9, 2016 in Great Horned Owl

CF2C8685-001The mother of the owlets keeps a close eye on her offspring.  She keeps them close to her in the nest.  They are growing quickly and hold their heads up on their own.  The owlets are alert and very curious!  This was a morning visit under bright sun and blue skies.

Great Horned Owl & owlets in the rain!

May 4, 2016 in Great Horned Owl

CF2C8522-001A short visit late afternoon under overcast skies, winds out of the NE around 13-15 MPH, with light rain and temps around 40 degrees.  The owlets look a bit soggy and rain soaked…but hanging in there with warmer weather on the way!

Great Horned Owl and owlet!

April 21, 2016 in Great Horned Owl

CF2C8309-001Another morning visit to the Great Horned Owl nest under bright sun and blue skies.  The mother bear just watching over her owlets in a relaxed mode.  She is looking over her right shoulder with one of the owlets beside her!