![]() Weird Nature: An Owl That Uses Dung Tools.The Amazing Lemming: The Rodent Behind the Snowy Owl Invasion?.This is the prototypical “wise old owl,” and the owl of cartoons and children’s books. It’s also incredibly adaptable, found from Canada to Patagonia, and most places in between. It is at home in desert and wetland, forest and prairie. And it also has no trouble thriving around people: you can find them in parks, farms, small woodlots, suburbs and cities.ĭespite this, they’re not always easy to spot due to their nocturnal habits. ![]() But at this time of year, in the right location, a chorus of hoots provides the soundtrack to dawn and dusk. That’s because, around October, male great horned owls begin setting up territories. Most great horned owls mate for life, but in the fall the pair begin a courtship display, loudly calling to each other. The great horned owl’s hoot is pretty much unmistakable, although ornithology web sites often describe it in different ways. A common hooting pattern is a longer hoooooot, followed by two or three shorter hoots.Īnd these owls have a range of other vocalizations, too, some of which sound like barks or a screeching cat. ( Cornell’s All About Birds site features some great audio of these different calls). The owls continue setting up their territory this month, and begin setting up a nest. They’ll use an abandoned nest previously used by a red-tailed hawk, squirrel or other critter. © Jill Bauer/TNC Photo Contest 2019 Why Do Owls Nest So Early? Come January, they’ll begin setting in the nest – far earlier than most other birds. Nesting early naturally entails some risk. Eggs must be kept warm and incubated, which can be a challenge when the temperature is in the single digits and snow is falling.įemale owls stay on the nest for prolonged periods (and when they leave to hunt, the male will take over). ![]() If the eggs become too cold, they won’t hatch. This is why most birds wait until temperatures are warm and mild. It takes them longer to grow and mature than, say, a songbird. ![]() Young great horned owls must also master complex hunting maneuvers. ![]()
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