So my friend decided to visit my deck again this evening: After I took this pic through the glass, I started to go out but (s)he was gone. I don't know if I startled him/her (when I went in & out last night and she did not budge) or if (s)he just took off for other reasons. My identification skills sure need work. This is a barred owl. One website says "The best way to find them is by listening for their distinct calls that sound like they’re saying “who cooks for you?” If you hear it, try imitating it back. If you wait quietly and patiently, they may even fly over to scope you out." This is spot-on regarding their being curious. And it says they are likely to be a year-round resident. That makes me happy.
Lemme try this "here's a video of the owl I've got" thing again. Here is one of the screeches it throws at me. This is their normal call described as "Who cooks for you?" Yeh, I guess. Apparently this owl and hawks coexist well together. Audubon says: In east, often uses old Red-shouldered Hawk nest; hawk and owl may use same nest in alternate years.
I just went out to see what's happening in Birdland and it seems there's a pair of these owls in that tree. I shouldn't be surprised. Only one of them seems to be vocal. I hope I don't disturb them to much when I get my tractor out and cut the grass. There's a sizeable spot around that tree that needs to be mowed.
I was wondering if cutting the field would improve or harm their hunting, or if the racket would just make them angry/frightened enough to not return. I got plenty of snakes for them to eat. I've scared up my share of black snakes here, and one cottonmouth that I know of. Early this morning I saw one of them fly from the nearby tree to another perch across the field. It seemed like it was trying to put the sun at its back as it scanned the field. Maybe the shorter grass will help it out.
In your picture the one on your deck was looking down. Looking for dinner? I am always surprised by seeing them hunting in the day.
Audubon says: "Hunts by night or day, perhaps most at dawn and dusk." I always see them at this nearby tree at dusk, usually around 6PM or later. But I also see them briefly fly past the patio window at any time during the day. It's funny that I rarely hear them hoot-call...they mostly just shriek at me. I sometimes see them on the ground but can never tell if they have prey. If they do, it's not a mammal. Last night one of them casually glided to the ground by my house, but did not act as though he caught a critter.
this picture you have shows perfect nesting area for them...be careful mowing tall grass...our owl is still here...sits closeby...waits...we luv our bird world...nice escape to reality...
Are you saying that some of them nest in the grass? I don't want to hurt any of them. Heck, I get upset on those rare occasions I run over a black snake. I saw a copperhead at the back of my lot and just let it slither off.
The owls' arrival time seems to get pushed back each evening. I heard one hooting in the woods about 6PM, but they did not come to the tree near my house until nearly 8PM. One owl sits on one side of the tree, while the other sits on the other. I've not seen them sit side-by-side. They are only 6' to 10' above the ground...the screecher may be even lower than that. This is the laid-back one: This is the screecher:
Now there seems to be a whole family there! I just saw 4 of them in that tree...well, one floated to the ground, I saw a second one in the tree, then two others flew in from the side of the house. I read one site that said the screeching sound is made by fledglings wanting to be fed, but all 4 of these can fly, so I'm not certain that's factual.