Great Gray Owls and Saw Whet Owls

Hank ABAB · Jun 3, 2016

Had some fellows out Wednesday evening to band 2 young Great Gray Owls and 4 baby Saw Whet owls.
While banding the Great Grays, the Papa Owl flew in with supper in his mouth!

The little Saw Whet fits nicely in the palm of your hand; cute little fellas.
This is in Alberta.

Geo-TH,In · Jun 3, 2016

I have a pair of hooters in gravel pit. Can only find pic of one. I think I saw an owl flying away with a 3 ft black snake. geo

Hank ABAB · Jun 3, 2016

Geo-TH,

Is that a Barred Owl?
I'm going by the dark eyes.

Geo-TH,In · Jun 3, 2016

Hank,
It looks more like a tree owl. I have no idea what type of owl it is, just big.
geo

Bonnan · Jun 3, 2016

That is real cool!!!!!!!!
Never seen a great gray and only rarely see a Saw Whet here in Pa

Bonnan · Jun 3, 2016

Yep, I agree it is a Barred. Common on our farm/wetlands property.

Hank ABAB · Jun 3, 2016

Bonnan,

I put up nest boxes for the little Saw Whet Owls.
Last year, they nested in a different box - they raised 6 babies.

I have 7 nest boxes that I look after, over about 130 acres of bush. I make a 3 inch entrance hole.
I clean the boxes out each fall, and then put in about 3 to 4 inches of new wood shavings.

I have to check them each spring, because the Red Squirrels think that's an excellent home for them.
This picture shows the Momma Saw Whet peeking out about 3 weeks before the babies hatched.

Eric in IL · Jun 3, 2016

Great pictures, keep up the good work !

RandyB(MI) · Jun 3, 2016

Had a Saw Whet fly into the side of my van a few years ago. Went back and picked him up as he was lying upside down in road. Took him in and kept him warm in my hands for an hour until he finally came around. put him in a bird cage overnight and by next morning he was rarin' to go. Opened cage and set it on porch and within 15 min. he took off into the woods. Good feeling it was. Always loved owls. We live in woods so hear them alot, Barred Owls especially.

Bonnan · Jun 4, 2016

Nice looking box; how high off the ground do you put them?

Blackhole49 · Jun 4, 2016

Here is an adult screech owl I found in the road about 6 years ago. Took it to a rescue.

Dave H (MI) · Jun 4, 2016

I envy you! Here at the house we have only Great Horned and Screech. Out to the farm 20 miles away you can add a pair of Barred Owls. Some great listening there.

Hank ABAB · Jun 4, 2016

I mount them 10 to 12 feet off the ground, and just inside the bush a ways (and out of the sun).
Not on the very edge of the trees - they seem to want some privacy (and safety).

I make sure there are no branches in their flight path to the box, as they are strictly night hunters.
The male does all the hunting; the female feeds the young and does the housekeeping!

T in NE · Jun 5, 2016

I've had a barn owl buzz my neck. Odd when they can hit you with their wing several times and you don't hear a thing.

Great Gray Owls and Saw Whet Owls

Hank ABAB

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Geo-TH,In

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Hank ABAB

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Geo-TH,In

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Bonnan

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Bonnan

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Hank ABAB

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Eric in IL

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RandyB(MI)

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Bonnan

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Blackhole49

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Dave H (MI)

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Hank ABAB

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T in NE

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