I Have A Hawk Hanging Around Right At My House

Discussion in 'Science & Nature' started by John Brunner, Jul 8, 2021.

  1. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    So my friend decided to visit my deck again this evening: Owl 1.jpg

    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.
     
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    Last edited: Jul 10, 2021
  2. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    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.
     
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  3. Mary Stetler

    Mary Stetler Veteran Member
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    Yup! I think I recognize the one third from the right.;)
     
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  4. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    He speaks fondly of you.
     
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  5. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    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.
     
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  6. Mary Stetler

    Mary Stetler Veteran Member
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    Maybe you can scare up some extra dinner with your tractor. I was disturbing the grass snakes today.
     
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  7. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    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.
     
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  8. Mary Stetler

    Mary Stetler Veteran Member
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    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.
     
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  9. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    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.
     
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  10. Teresa Levitt

    Teresa Levitt Veteran Member
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    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...
     
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  11. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    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.
     
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  12. Hedi Mitchell

    Hedi Mitchell Supreme Member
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    I see owls..everywhere
     

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  13. Hedi Mitchell

    Hedi Mitchell Supreme Member
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    Owls owls
     

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  14. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    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:
    20210712 Owl 1.JPG

    This is the screecher:

    20210712 Owl 2.JPG
     
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  15. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    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.
     
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