LOOK WHAT JUST HIT MY KITCHEN WINDOW!!!!!!

[cariboujaguar]

OH HOW GORGEOUS! WOW! thanks for sharing! I would have such a hard time letting it go again, even though I'd know it was the right thing to do. What a neat pet he would make LOL

 

[chickenpiedpiper]

Quote:
No its is a Juvinal Great Horned Owl, likely just fledged a few weeks ago.

Please be carefull posting pictures of such a bird in your hands, they are A Protected Species and heavy fines amass when Game and Wildlife find out about such.
Glad It is ok but I am sure the booger will be back.

ETA: Picture


Adult Horned Owl

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/shadowgypsy/Picture069-1.jpg

Um, No I am sorry that is absolutely NOT a juvi great horned owl!!
Birds do not fledge out of the nest until they are actually close to full size! Horned owls are one of the largest Owls, and thier babies grow astonishingly fast, and are almost full size, ( 2 feet tall) when they make thier first flight!

That is probably a juvi, but I would hesitate to speculate on the type unless I knew where the OP resided. Looks like a little burrowing owl to me, but again, I dont know where the op lives. I had the privelage once of assisting in the medical treatment and rehab of a pair of GH Owls that had been illegal removed from a nest. they weighed enuff, that you could not comfortably hold one in your hand like that!

What ever he is, he is a beauty, and I am so glad he/she survived the impact! Ouch!

Well done!

edited to add; I have been reviewing my book, and your photos, and everything I have indicates that screech owls have ear tufts. Saw whets do not. I am not seeing any ear tufts in your photos, do you recall seeing any? Also, where do you live? Saw whets are predominantly north, Screech are everywhere, but it would help to narrow it down!

 

[lickskillet]

Yes, this owl had ear tufts, he/she only raised them once in a while, kinda like a Cardinal bird can raise and lower their black triangular feathers on the top of their heads, or a chickens neck feathers do when broody. Kentucky is my location! LOL
I found some other pictures that were cool to me too (at the time).

Some wild turkeys walking in the front yard.

A Tobacco Hornworm (that turns into a Sphynx Moth)in the backyard

Thanks for looking(again) LOL

The turkey picture is taken from the same kitchen widow that the owl hit!

 

[mikeksfarmer]

Its a screech owl and there is no way it could eat a chicken. They do go after song birds however. But not as often as they go after mice. You are lucky to have it.

 

[Reinbeau]

Quote:
That is an Eastern Screech Owl and you are very fortunate he/she didn't dig its talons into your fingers - you really should have had gloves on. I know of a woman (I've told this story before) who hit an owl, she stopped to pick it up and it clung so tightly to her hand it cut into her fingers - and wouldn't let go. The police took her to the hospital and they wanted to kill the owl but she wouldn't let them. Then anesthetized it and it finally let go - and yes, both the woman and the owl lived. No one should pick up any birds of prey, they all cling like this, and those talons are sharp!

 

[lickskillet]

Yes, lesson learned on the talons, thanks!

"IF" there is ever another opprotunity to pick up an owl or other BIG bird, I'll grab hubbys thick leather gloves (that go to my elbows) that he uses for our wood stove. Maybe I should invest in a falconary glove(whatever the real name for that is)LOL

...waiting for another bird of prey to hit my window....I think i'll be waiting a long time, but you never know...

 

[mmtillman]

Wow!! What great pictures!! Thanks so much for sharing !!!

 

[AHappychick]

ugg I hate hornworms veggie gardeners worst nightmare, or one of them lol. Tried to feed one to my chooks once and not even they wanted to eat him. I can never get over how big they get!!!

 

[luvarabhorses]

My first reaction was I was so jealous. What a cool experience, thanks for sharing. As far as the sound, it reminded me of my florange who couldn't sleep because of a whipporwill under our bedroom window night after night. He finally wandered outside in the right direction, half asleep, and sort of pathetically pleaded, "go away". It left on its own a few days later.

 

[karen71]

he's so precious - I call them hootie owls - love them - I know they are a predator but sooo cute !!!