Now that I have your attention...
I heard quite a ruckus coming from my back porch this morning... I look out to see Blue Jays and Mockingbirds EVERYWHERE!!!
... and then I see this shape in one of my berry bushes...
HOLY COW!!!!
It seems that it is an Eastern Screech Owl...
You can read more about them HERE...
Top to bottom, the owl can't be any more than 7 inches in length...
It seems that they are seldom seen during the day... so it makes me wonder if there is a pair nesting around here...
Also, most of the images that I can find of these birds have smaller tufts... so I am wondering if the erect tuft is due to agitation by the Jays or if it's designed to make the bird look bigger than it is... which would also be a defensive stance.
How cool!!
~shoes~
A sign of very good things to come, Dr. Owl. A portent, an omen...If they are nesting though, wear a hat when you go out. They fly silently and will pop you in the head to defend.
ReplyDeleteGood morning... I could use some good fortune!
DeleteI figure he must be out there again this morning... Jays are squawking... squirrels are chattering... but I can't see him.
re: 'fly silently'... I've read where owls have specialized feathers in their wings that act as a baffle, and it muffles the sounds of their wings flapping. It seems that it prevents their prey from hearing them as they swoop in on them.
~shoes~
Those tufts really do increase its profile, making it appear bigger and more formidable than it really is.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Stephen... You are right, especially about the formidable part!
Delete~shoes~
Eek...that looks like the bird I hit w my car a few (heh) yrs ago driving home from college. Oops.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Simplicity...
DeleteYIKES!!!
~shoes~
Let us know how you sleep! Lol. They're supposed to be noisy at night. Still, it's so awesome that it was right there.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Barb...
DeleteI did find some sound clips for these birds... I listened some for them last night, but didn't hear them...
~shoes~
Awesome! Nice pics!
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Max... they did turn out rather nice... I wish I could have removed a few twigs however...
Delete~shoes~
So I was at a Christmas party last night and there was a woman about 5'0 tall, petite, wearing this v neck dress that left nothing to the imagination . Her boobs were hanging on (pun intended) to dear life by a thread. She looked odd. But of course the men were in heaven. ha! And no, it wasn't me. hahaha
ReplyDeleteOws scare me. I dunno why. The one in your picture looks mean and ominous and gross.
Good morning, Yvonne... I was just about to ask whether or not that was you... ;o)
DeleteYou ladies know how we men tend to be... you see one pair of breasts... you want to see them all. I can't explain it...
I would imagine that their appearance goes a great way towards extending their life span. I did read that the life span of these owls, in captivity, is about 20 years... and expected to be much less in the Wild... predators and such.
~shoes~
Very cool indeed!
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Steven..
DeleteYes, I felt very fortunate to have this play out right in my own back yard!!
~shoes~
I find it funny how the owl thinks those few branches is camouflaging him....somehow I think that owl is a symbol...like someone is watching out for you... yes, call me crazy...
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Chris...
DeleteSome of the material I read said that they like to roost in rather difficult to reach places... I noticed that the Jays, when they swooped in to try to peck at this bird, could never get close... and it really didn't seem to bother the owl at all.
I would never call you crazy, dear...
~shoes~
Very interesting, Shoes. I read all of the comments and you appear to have learned a lot about this owl since he took up residence. Keep us posted. I am curious to know if baby owls appear sometime in the distant future...
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Robin...
ReplyDeleteOnce upon a time, I was involved with a crazy woman that happened to enjoy bird watching... and damn if that isn't contagious!!!!
I guess that there were many worse things I could have got from her... ;oD
Anyway, one ends up with a decent pair of binoculars and a 'Peterson's Field Guide' for Birds.
~shoes~
Hi there, Stephanie...
ReplyDeleteIt was quite surprising!!! And for it to be right at my back door!!!
Merry Christmas!!
~shoes~
I love the silent stealth of owls. I'm way out in the country. Sometimes, in the evening, I can hear their serenade. I believe they are hooting at me... at least that is what I tell my self!
ReplyDelete<3
K
Hey you... I've really neglected my blog... augh...
ReplyDeleteI heard an owl early the other morning.... so I know that they are still around here...
How have you been??
~shoes~