Great-horned Owl Fun in 2019

[centrarchid]

I have three birds around house consistently roosting outside of pens. One pullet has been roosting under concrete slab of the front porch with dogs going past numerous times per night. Until recently an almost bull game stag was roosting on ground under a very large multi-floral rose bush next to house. At least one dog uses a location only a few feet away to monitor the surrounding world most to the night. Another older pullet, sibling to stag above, has moved roosting location to a tree still retaining leaves. Prior to that she and stag with other siblings where roosting in a persimmon tree directly behind house. Once persimmon tree lost its leaves the owl would come within 10 feet of chickens, but would not go after anyone because dogs would would park themselves below chickens and bark at owl. Following repeated owl visits of that sort the chickens moved to current locations.

Really cool observations made since.

 

[centrarchid]

It is very unlikely we have more GHO's here than anywhere else. We just have exceptional seeing because of how trees and landscape make things visible to me and the fact dogs alert us to owls.

The neat observation is how the hunting owls differ from when I actually see them the most. I see mostly when in tops of trees just looking around, often as me. When actively hunting they move from perch to perch anywhere from 15 feet up to being on the ground. Those areas are not good for seeing here even unless you are laying on the ground. My kids bedrooms offering just such seeing. Owing to health issues I had to move into a kids room where I was forced into a new perspective. There I could see owl working those lower levels apparently investing most effort in Cotton-tailed Rabbits. It appeared the rabbits can see the owl much of the time and use under-story cover to avoid the owl that moves a few feet above. Dogs have no trouble interfering with owl hunting rabbits as well. I can not tell if rabbits are taking advantage of that arrangement. Dogs do not go after rabbits much and rabbits will come within 20 feet of alert dogs.

 

[cmom]

Here is a GHO that killed a couple of my birds recently. It went right through some netting. After the first kill I repaired the netting where the owl went through. I had recently went to all of the pens and looked for any breaches because a hawk had found a breach and killed several birds in another pen, so I was surprised when I found a headless dead bird. I repaired the netting. I was surprised when I found another dead bird so I moved the birds after the second kill and replaced that netting with a new piece of the same kind of netting and put a camera in the pen. The owl went right through the netting. This time I replaced the netting with some good heavy duty netting. So far no more owl. I have heard them in some trees by the house but haven't seen them.

 

[centrarchid]

We had a strong wind event this morning with gusts at least in the 40's mph. During that I heard a thump against side of house. No trees or other structures in position to cause thump. An hour later i went out to investigate to make certain no roosters released. One rooster was missing and two juvenile American Dominiques were attacked resulting in loss of one. They were housed in a pen I always assumed was resistant to GHO's. Owl caused damage by biting at chicken heads through wire. Will make photographs later.

Thump caused by rooster flying and crashing into house near bedroom window. He hit hard but appears OK. Owl likely flushed him after rooster exposed by partially overturned pen. Anchors still not holding when pens higher up on hill. Those down lower not moved at all.

 

[centrarchid]

This little fellow has nerve damage with balance issues and feet not working properly. I will be working fast to get him back on track.

Owl had to reach through 1" x 2" openings to deliver bites. Victims had to be right up against wire for owl to reach them. Light levels either low enough chickens could not make out owl or owl was able to make them panic into a corner. Both options normally blocked by wind break which got knocked off by wind. Damage very different than that delivered by raccoon. Bites to skull and neck how owl quickly dispatches prey. This little guy is hurting quite a bit despite little blood evident.

 

[centrarchid]

Involvement of GHO known even before seeing pen containing juveniles. When I went out back door, owl flushed from perch almost directly above me to fly south as I tracked it with spotlight. I did not know rooster that flew into house was hiding just a few feet from me among flowers by water faucet. Rooster was still worked up when I did finally find him nearly 15 minutes later.

Owl not going to barn nor messing with hens roosting in sheltered locations. Hens will still be penned this evening. Pups in barn, especially when their mother checks on the frequently may be a deterrent to owl hunting inside barn.

 

[centrarchid]

Video showing part of how owl makes kills so quickly.

Owl brazen enough to turn back on mama Peregrine Falcon. If owl ever did that to my dogs, I would have a dead owl to submit to conservation people.

Rooster that appears Aseel attacking a what appears to be an immature Buteo sp. Looks staged and would get one into trouble in the USA.

 

[centrarchid]

Owl back.