Great Horned Owl INSIDE my pen! MORE PHOTOS

[Chicks_N_Horses]

From the pics, that looks to be a male to me. The females are much larger than the males and I couldn't really say for sure unless I was there to see him in person....but it looks like a male from the pics to me.

 

[Pupsnpullets]

Late last year I had a visit from one of those guys. I'd been hearing them for months so I knew they were around but this one day he was sitting up a tree right by the house. I took some great photos, too, but not as close as yours. Mr Owl stayed all day up that tree just watching the goings on. Next day he was gone, then a day later he was back. Over an 8 day period he was back up that tree 3 times then he was gone and I haven't seen or heard him since. The chickens were happy to see him go but I did enjoy seeing him there.

 

[AHappychick]

Simply amazing. I found a skunk clearly half eaten once on my property, I did some research cause I could not figure out what on earth would eat a stinky skunk. I learned that indead it was an owl and know that one lives close to my back yard. Never lost a chook to the owl but havent seen any skunks in a long time.

It never occured to me that the owls would stink like skunk as well from eating them all the time.

I would be taking pics of it all day too, so amazing to look at I would just love to see it in person.

you should take some video of the feeding if you have not already that would be like having National Geographic at you own house!

 

[Cara]

When are you planning on releasing him?

 

[la dee da]

He strangly resembles the cat in your avatar.....

 

[peachick]

LOL I KNOW!! wondered if anyone else noticed that... the cat is Earl.

We keep changing our plans about releasing him. I have been waiting on 2 zoos to get back with me. They need to check on their permits for having an owl in MD. Unfortunalty there is a LOT of red tape in this state for keeping wildlife

If they dont come get him by monday morning he's gone!
My peacocks are much too upset by this owl. Every time he turns his head they start with their honking "danger danger!!"... peacocks are awesome watch dogs!

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

I thought you were just going to take him up to the mountains and release him? That would sound like the best plan to me. I don't see why you should have to go through anyone else. You do have to have a permit to keep one but I think if you just take him to a safe location and release him you should be just fine.

He needs to be released as soon as possible though. They need as little human contact as possible. No baby talk, no hanging out with them or anything. I am sure you guys are doing just fine but the sooner he gets back into the wild the better. (I don't want to sound like I am lecturing you because I'm not trying to - just give advice I tell everyone LOL I am a rehabber)

Are you trying to give him to a zoo?

 

[dacjohns]

Very cool.

Whatever you are doing just try to do the right thing except don't feed it little mice, those poor little little cute things.

 

[la dee da]

Quote:
Earl's a pretty cat...and I bet he knows it too!

 

[DragonFeathers]

WOW, great pictures...love the look of his eyes, thanks for sharing, good luck on the release, let us all know how it went..PLEASE.