Barred Owl - Should I worry?

[schatze]

I called the wildlife people, and none of them have gotten any calls on escapees. Instead they wanted to come take her away as soon as they got off the phone even though it was already starting to get dark. I didn't give them my address, it just struck me as strange, especially considering none of them were willing to do anything when hawks were actively killing my chickens and ducks. Celeste is at least beneficial to all of us around here.

Her antics tonight, I didn't come out at my usual time because I was peeling shrimp for dinner. When I went outside that's when I saw her in a different tree. I took her picture, did my bird things, and then I went back inside. When back in the kitchen, I looked out the window and saw Celeste in that tree. She'd been watching me the entire time through the window.

I've known many cats who'll show up at a house they like then eventually move in as a permanent resident. I almost feel that same way with Celeste, but instead of inside my house it's my yard. She seems to understand the concept of fences too since she doesn't seem to go beyond the fence line.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Very strange...

But, Keep the pics coming!!

 

[FrankHomestead]

I can't get over how gorgeous she is!! I'm glad you didn't give them your location!!! she's happy where's she's at. why would they want to capture her?? maybe to study her because of her unusual awesome personality.

 

[Patinas]

I can't get over how gorgeous she is!! I'm glad you didn't give them your location!!! she's happy where's she's at. why would they want to capture her?? maybe to study her because of her unusual awesome personality.

I agree with @FrankHomestead! Why would they want to immediately catch her if she's not sick or injured? So what if she wants to hang out in your yard! Good for her! She's just doing her thing and being an owl so seems strange they would want to capture her.

I too am glad that you didn't give them your address. The fact that she's still there means she is finding what she needs to survive. I'd love it if a raven took up residence in my yard because I think they are awesome birds, as are owls!

 

[FrankHomestead]

I agree with @FrankHomestead! Why would they want to immediately catch her if she's not sick or injured? So what if she wants to hang out in your yard! Good for her! She's just doing her thing and being an owl so seems strange they would want to capture her.

I too am glad that you didn't give them your address. The fact that she's still there means she is finding what she needs to survive. I'd love it if a raven took up residence in my yard because I think they are awesome birds, as are owls!

Some humans want to control everything.
Live & Let Live!!!

 

[Suzi18]

You are so lucky to have found a beautiful new friend. I'm just fascinated by this and I hope you give us updates and pics as often as possible

 

[schatze]

This morning I did have to call a neighbor to let out my birds. Since Celeste watches me sleep, she knows when I wake up for work. As I was about to brush my teeth, I heard my birds get scared. I went outside, and there was Celeste waiting on the post next to their door where she knows I'll be in a few minutes. I'm trying to condition her to not do that, so I left them inside their coops.

I let the birds out before dawn every morning, she's just usually up in a tree where they don't care. On the post is too much for them, haha. She waited for me until I accidentally put the light from the flashlight in her face. She flew onto her kitchen viewing perch then.

I do think they want to study her. She really has it made, though. Unlimited rodents, fresh water every day, big old trees, other birds that she seems to enjoy watching. She's got everything.

 

[theuglychick]

Great pics! Beautiful creatures!

We have a few owls by me and when they come out I watch them very closely.

I've not had any issues with them and my chickens but I work with a girl that had one by her house and the owl would wait for the chickens to go in the coop for the night and before my friend had a chance to close the coop, the owl would fly in the coop to attack and kill the chickens (adult buff orpingtons!) and eat as much of one as she could before someone came out and ran her off. She eventually got 5/6 chickens (shame on my friend).

This was strange to me because I thought owls swallowed their prey whole.

Ours just watch, so far.

 

[Patinas]

....I work with a girl that had one by her house and the owl would wait for the chickens to go in the coop for the night and before my friend had a chance to close the coop, the owl would fly in the coop to attack and kill the chickens (adult buff orpingtons!) and eat as much of one as she could before someone came out and ran her off.

I think that's the weird thing about this owl. She has had plenty of opportunity to attack the chickens and she hasn't...yet. Not trying to be doom and gloom at all, just saying why hasn't she attacked them yet? We've had stories in the past in my area of owls attacking small dogs so I'm sure this owl could take on a chicken but she hasn't.

This owl seems to be totally interested in her new found human! BTW, my daughter can totally do the barred owl call and can draw them in. Freaky thing when she calls them at night and you hear them getting closer and closer as they call back at her! One night, a couple years ago, she was calling to them and there were at least 3 hanging around and they came close to the house and then we heard a massive owl fight in the trees. Screeching like I've never heard since! Must have been a territorial thing but to this day, we still talk and laugh about the night she caused the owl fight!

 

[schatze]

An owl fight has got to be vicious.

With Celeste, I don't know what's going on. She's here alone with the birds literally all day. My birds are all free ranging birds and are only put up at night. My 2 months old roo would be easy to get, but she's only watched him grow. She just watches and listens.

Today, though, Celeste waited for me as usual on her favorite branch, and then she did something odd. She spread out her wing and tail feathers making herself look like a giant oval. Then, she laid flat down on the branch in this angel pose, and she stayed like this for several minutes before going back to how she usually sits. I tried taking a picture, but my camera card was full. I was able to take a cellphone picture, however.

I've never seen a bird do this. She waited until I sat down to talk to her then made a big production of it, the oval then the angel. Afterwards she started grooming then watched me give everyone treats.