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 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!