Sunday, May 07, 2023

Great Horned Owl Breeding Success

 “They are the pure wild hunters of our world. They are swift and merciless upon the backs of rabbits, mice, voles, snakes, even skunks, even cats sitting in dusky yards, thinking peaceful thoughts.” 
                                                                                         Mary Oliver



    In the days before COVID, (yes, way back then), I used to lead a walk annually for a neighbourhood association and one of the regular participants contacted me to tell me about a pair of Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus) nesting in a tree in his neighbour's yard.
     He invited Miriam and me to visit the birds, and has since become a great friend. Some of the images in this blog are his, and some are Miriam's. I will not identify them, nor divulge his name, lest unscrupulous birders and photographers descend on his house like an unwanted swarm of locusts.
     The owlets were already quite far advanced when he discovered them, and a watchful parent was never far away.


     Foolhardy crows may decide to harass the young, but to come too close to an adult is an act of suicidal bravado.
     As is the way with all young Great Horned Owls they outgrow the nest (often an old crow's or hawk's nest) and move out along the branches of the host tree; in fact the colloquial name for the owlets at this stage of their development is "brancher."


     The young birds do not stray far from each other, seeming to derive security and comfort from physical closeness.


     It is not unusual for one of the young to fall out of the nest, or from a branch, and find itself on the ground, an extremely perilous situation. Much to our friend's dismay he was confronted with this circumstance one day.


     As you may see adult plumage is replacing juvenal down, and the beak and talons are already formidable.
     Our friend tossed a blanket over the young bird, and gathered it up quickly, imprisoning its wings against its side, and transferred it to a tree near the river, having a "ramp' to help the bird regain access to a safe perch.


     It worked, and the second youngster made its way to the same tree where they were reunited both with each other, and with their parents.
     Mishaps still may happen, however, and if you look carefully at the following image you will see that one youngster has fallen and grabbed onto a branch from which it is hanging upside down.


     It obviously suffered no harm from this incident because the two owlets have been seen together in the tree, with attentive parents still delivering food.
     Independence is not far behind and we hope that they will live long and prosper and raise healthy families of their own.

"The advances - or, perhaps more correctly the inroads - of a growing civilization will undoubtedly continue well into this century. As a result it seems probable that there will be a slow but steady retreat of Great Horned Owls from many areas, and eventually a general decline in this great owl's population over much of settled North America. Nevertheless, even this may prove less of a threat than once thought, given the ever-increasing observations of Great Horned Owls nesting, foraging and roosting in urban and suburban areas." 
                                      Dwight G. Smith (2002)
     
     We earnestly hope so. It has been a privilege to share in the lives of this family; may we see many more.
David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

61 comments:

  1. Hi David. I have been very fortunate to have seen many Great Horned Owls and other owls too. They are amazing birds. Thank you for sharing this.

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  2. Young owls appear to have camouflage.

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  3. Oh you know how I love this story and I agree that they have become comfortable nesting in trees in suburbia as I have seen many ... and actually have a pair living in our area ... though on farm property that I can't go to. I hear them at night and occasionally see one sitting on a chimney across the court from our house (My Redtails spend time on that chimney during the day as well :) They often share the same nest with the Red Tail as their breeding times allow for it. When I was volunteering in Rehab, we often were called to rescue a young GHO ... we rarely were able to put them back in the nest because approaching the nest was a dangerous task as you have discussed also some are ejected from the nest because they have something wrong with them so we were able to treat them most of the time and sometimes needed to euphonize. If they were old enough to be put on a close branch we tried that, but even then the parents were a threat, so often they ended up in our facility where we had an adult surrogate to help them finish their development ... we would put them in a flight chamber and the adult would teach them to hunt and they developed the strength to fly. Then they would be released in the area where we found them so nature could continue to take it's course. It was always marvelous to watch and participate in. Those who were injured and unable to be released became resident education birds and some (imprinted ) were trained to the glove and eventually to flight from place to place. We would fly them at our outdoor programs and people loved it and learned to understand, appreciate and protect the raptors ... that was our goal. So, as you probably guessed, I could go on and on, but I will spare you that. Thank you for this post ... it sparked a million wonderful memories :)

    Andrea @ From the Sol

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    1. I am very happy to have rekindled happy memories for you, Andrea.

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    2. What wonderful memories to have and revisit Andrea.

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  4. Without a doubt, it is a privilege to have had the opportunity to observe the evolution of the development of these owl chicks until they became adults. My congratulations and thanks to your colleagues who did their best to get those chickens in distress back to safety. A hug David.

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  5. Thank you for this wonderful post. I have a particularly soft spot for owls...

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  6. Thanks for the great work you're doing, conserving these wildlife animals who deserve a chance!

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  7. Owls are very intresting birds, David, and I have never seen one ever! I have only heard them here at night. I enjoy your pictures of them!
    Hugs and kisses, Marit

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    1. They should help to keep the rodents down in your garden, Marit.

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    2. Yes, I hope they can eat some rodents here.

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  8. Owls are such majestic birds. Seeing any of them is a privilege. Thanks for sharing, but not sharing too much to keep them safe. :)

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  9. David, thank you so much, for sharing those beautiful photos you captured, and for that great information!

    My biological father had a huge detailed statue of an owl in his home, which I really admired! It was so life looking, that it actually looked real.

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    1. I have seen superb wood carvings of owls that look so real you felt you could stroke the feathers.

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  10. Fabulous creature, I would love to see one sitting in my tree! Love the Mary Oliver quote. Hugs, Valerie xxxxx

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  11. ...I have never seen an owl, perhaps I should get out more.

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    1. Several species of owl should be reasonably common where you live, Tom.

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  12. Quelle jolie famille! C'est une chance de les avoir dans le jardin. Chez moi il y'a des chouettes hulottes. Par moment elles font pas mal de bruit quand le mâle et la femelle s'appellent. Bonne soirée

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  13. I have never seen an owl except in photos. From what I read, they sound amazing. Thanks for sharing another wonderful post.

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    1. There is a certain mystique about owls, Bill, and it never diminishes with time. Every sighting of every owl is a special event.

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  14. I love owls!....beautiful pictures!......Abrazotes, Marcela

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  15. Un gran reportaje querido amigo David, me encantan los búhos. Abrazos.

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  16. Wonderful story of a woodland pair. I hope wherever found, their privacy can be respected.

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  17. How wonderful to see these owls and to read about their story.
    Love owls and have never seen one in real life.
    I've got a make believe one in the garden though.

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  18. Beautiful series of photos of the Great Horned Owls are these David.
    I enjoyed it.
    Greetings Irma

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  19. Wonderful photos and story about the owls. It's good to hear that they are adapting to the changing environment. As I understand it our Barn Owls have been very slow to change their ways as agriculture has changed in this country. The old barns had plenty of nesting places and a ready supply of mice and the birds learned to become dependent on these sites.

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  20. Beautiful owl and pictures !
    Love the 4th !
    Have a shinny week !
    Anna

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  21. Preciosos estos búhos tan difíciles de ver por mi tierra, has hecho un bello reportaje.
    Mil besos!

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  22. Hi David.

    Great that you could see and experience this.
    Like keeping the place a secret.


    Greetings from Patricia.

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  23. Wow David, you had an amazing treat. Those owlets are pretty special. I had to smile at the one hanging upside down in the tree, but I suppose it really wasn't funny. I'm glad to hear he made himself upright again and was reunited with their nest mate. You even snapped a great photo of Mama. I've never seen a great horned owl in the wild. We have a lot of barred owls here, including one who hunts in our yard, and they don't nest too far into the woods. We also have a pair of broad winged hawks nesting there, and sometimes when the hawk flies too close to the owl nest they start "hooting" during the day. Not the actually hoot sound, because barred owls have that really guttural call. Thanks for this post. It was a great read. And happy new week too-maybe you'll go back to see the owls as they finish growing. hugs-Erika

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    1. As a matter of fact, Erika, we will probably go over there today.

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  24. I feel the same thrill seeing these owlets that I felt when I saw Hoot for the first time. the sight of them cuddling together is heart warming and the upside down is terrifying. so glad he/she survived and that the rescue went well... hope you have yet another siting and we can see what you see. good idea about not telling the location. now I am hoping no one shows up here to see Hoot.

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  25. I occasionally hear owls out here at night, at least I think that's what I'm hearing, but I have never seen any. and I have no idea what kind of owl it may be.

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  26. Can 'brancher' be applied to other birds, or at least to that behavior? I've been watching the young Green Herons, and I thought they had left the nest. But all three have been prowling the branches near the nest, and occasionally one hops back in. It had occurred to me that they'd grown too large for all of them to be in the nest at the same time; perhaps the nest has become a 'time-share'!

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    1. Hi Linda: I have not heard the term used in connection with Green Herons, but I don't see why it couldn't be.

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  27. The owlets are adorable youngsters. Good on your neighbour for rescuing the fallen one.
    I'm sure it is a real treat to watch them grow. I've not seen an owl in years, since I lived on the farm as a child. I don't recall what variety it was, but it liked to steal mom's chickens.

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    1. The owls that might have preyed on your mom's chickens would have been nocturnal. Did they not roost in a chicken coop at night?

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  28. Estimado amigo, son preciosos esos búhos cornudos y me alegro de que tu amigo pudiera recoger a ese pequeño y llevarle a la rama de un árbol.
    Haces muy bien en no divulgar la zona de tu vecino y amigo, de lo contrario acudirían como moscas.
    Las imágenes son todas maravillosas.
    Un gran abrazo de tu siempre amigo y compadre Juan.

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  29. I often hear the soft hoots of the Great Horned Owls from the live oaks in my front yard at night as I fall asleep.

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  30. Priceless images! Love the first one especially! What a thrill to see them so close by and to be able to help them!

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  31. How marvelous to capture the owlets and a privilege to be around them and watch the whole process of their rearing and accidental tumbles.
    XO
    WWW

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  32. What a beautiful post and such wonderful pictures..I love Owls and have only seen one or two in my lifetime.. I hear them often at dusk when I walk my dog but they are very illusive.Enjoy your week..

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  33. Thank you for making my day, David, with this uplifting post. Sadly, I rarely see an owl these days - partly due to them declining in numbers, but also due to my reduced confidence to go out alone into the countrytside at night. I was, however, lucky to see a roosting Tawny Owl during the day a week ago.

    My very best wishes to you and Miriam - - - Richard

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  34. The Long Horned Owls are beautiful birds - I really loved seeing them. What a beautiful photo that is of the two young ones seemingly cuddling up to one another.

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  35. What a WONDERFUL post this is.
    A joy to see the photographs and read your words.

    All the best Jan

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  36. Marvelous photos, formidable and yet exquisite looking birds.

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  37. hello David
    you can be sure that each of your readers will envy you for these great photos, thanks for showing them.
    Greetings Frank

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  38. Los padres siempre protegiendo.Gracias David por esta tierna entrada por aquí no vemos los búhos. Las fotos son geniales Me ha encantado verlos.
    Que paséis buena semana.
    Un abrazo.

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  39. Cudowne te sowy! Już są takie duże pisklęta? Gratuluję obserwacji i trochę zazdroszczę.
    A jakie nogi maja i pazury! Jak myszkę chwycą to w sekundę po niej!

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  40. Hi David,
    I am very impressed!
    regards, Maria

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  41. Absolutely beautiful and so fluffy! What a wonderful find -- I would be over the moon!

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  42. Una belleza esas aves, eres afortunado en poder verlas y registrarlas tan bien. Un abrazo

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  43. Hello David :=) The fluffy down of the juvenile Great Horned Owl makes it seem almost like a cuddly toy. It's a precious picture, and juveniles have their own special charm which is so endearing. I actually saw your first photo yesterday on Wild Biird Wednesday. I tried to comment but a message appeared which read "Private" not invited to comment. I just thought I would mention it! The adult Great Horned Owl is very handsome indeed, and I have only ever seen this species of Owl in photos. All the photos are splendid, and I enjoyed my visit very much and look forward to your next post about them.
    My best wishes,and warm hugs.
    Sonjia.

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  44. Fabulous post and thanks so much for sharing. It makes me happy to just read about the family. Bisous, Diane

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    1. And both youngsters are still doing well, Diane.

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  45. Hi David,
    What a magnificent bird. It s always a pleasure to see owls, but especially this species is impressive. You are quite lucky that you got the chance to see this bird. Interesting to see how the young ones develop.
    Greetings, Kees

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  46. This reminds me so much of the owls we saw growing up (or out of the nest) a few years ago at the lake. It was such a wonderful experience. Everything that you mention here, happened there as well, including one owlet falling out of the nest. At that time, a park ranger got the bird and it spent a couple days at our local Bird Rescue Center. Witnessing this family of owls is one of my highlights of what I have seen at the lake.

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  47. Wow, these are awesome photos of the Owls. The Owlet is adorable. Great post and photos.

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  48. The complete success of a brood is never assured for any bird and you are right to keep this secret garden!
    These down pellets are a little wonder.

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  49. Hi David - I can't keep up with all the books you're reviewing ... this was a fascinating post - so pleased the owls seem to be succeeding - that's good news. They are beautiful birds ... cheers Hilary

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