Professional Documents
Culture Documents
31111005162985
Owls of
North America
lie
Paintings
All the Species and Subspecies Illustrated in Color and Full) Des< ribed
The Owls of
North America
1*iii
ii
u;s. ii
Drawings In Karl
K Kara lus
TextbyAIlaiiWEcken
birds."
in the acute-
and
ness.
They
in
their
ferocity
of mystery
In-
America, Allan
\V.
Eckert explains
and the
And
artist,
in
this
book,
Karl E. Karalus,
nificent
features, markings,
Where
its
and habits.
up descriptions
and
mag-
life
of
h A merica
superb combination of
scientific
the portraits of
(continiK
d on back
is
all
flap)
fidelity.
subspc-
Karalus, Karl L.
Owls of North America
598.97 KARALUS
CENTRAL LIBRARY
(Ovrrlen\)
>tUS luflsi
'
inty,
XIII
si
kn
ONG-EARED
OWL
Montana, March
30, 1902.
OF NORTH AMERICA
WILD SEASON
THE CROSSBREED
HOME
LIFE OF
AMERICAN BIRDS
WILD SEASON
WHALE
BLUE JACKET
THE CONQUERORS
THE CROSSBREED
INCIDENT AT HAWK'S HILL
rzre ows
OF NORTH AMERICA
(NORTH OF MEXICO)
All the Species and Subspecies Illustrated in
Color and Fully Described
%
fcv
'
ill
f\arl. Karalus
TEXT BY
^AllanW.Eckert
DOUBLEDAY
&
COMPANY,
INC.,
1974
GARDEN
CITY,
NEW YORK
DESIGN BY
M FRANKLIN PI.YMPTON
isbn: 0-385-O8758-6
I
Copyright
\I
PRINTED
IN
I.
RIGHTS RESERVED
THE
For
their
many years
of
unstinting effort
in every conceivable
manner
on our behalf,
the authors
and deepest
to
HELEN
love
our wives,
C.
KARALUS
AND
JOAN
D.
ECKERT
Gontents
Color Plates
ix
Acknowledgments
Introduction
inyoensis)
xi
132
kennicott's screech
xiii
kennicottii)
20
32
Florida barred
California spotted
occidentalis)
owl
caurina )
lucida)
asio
asio
137
35
{Strix occidentalis
asio mccallii)
(Strix occidentalis
(Strix occidentalis
140
asio
142
43
asiO
39
(Otus
135
macfarlanei)
37
owl
asio
asio suttoni)
144
asio swenki)
145
yumanensis)
146
149
(Otus
asio
45
saw-whet owl
Richardson's
48
56
{Aegolius acadicus
flammeolus)
owl
(Aegolius funereus
cunicularia hypugaea)
72
80
owl
cunicularia floridana)
whitneyi)
(Otus
asio aikeni)
98
1
snowy owl
19
120
American
(Nyctea scandiaca)
hawk owl
caparoch)
brewsteri)
cineraceus)
Florida screech
asio
californicum)
124
owl
(Otus
asio floridanus)
asio gilmani)
131
asio
(Surnia ulula
asio
123
185
195
121
174
177
(Micrathene whitneyi idonea)
asio naevius)
163
83
(SpeotytO
aiken's screech
156
66
flammeus)
154
64
richardsoni)
asperus)
126
128
Arizona pygmy
gnoma)
owl
210
(Glaucidium gnoma
21
212
183
51
214
virginianus
260
ridgwayi )
Comparison Tables
Comparison Table
222
224
virginianus
244
246
virginianus lagophonus)
248
pacific
virginianus
250
virginianus
252
virginianus
pallescens)
253
dusky horned owl (Bubo virginianus
254
Ontario horned
arctic horned
Maximum
257
Weight
262
Average Weight
Comparison Table 6
Minimum Weight
Comparison Table 8
Comparison Table 9
Comparison Table o
1
263
Minimum
Individual
12
Comparison Table 13
Comparison Table 14
Terms
265
274
Wing
264
Comparison Table
Index
263
264
Comparison Table
Glossary of
virginianus
262
Comparison Table 4
Comparison Table 5
virginianus
257
owl (Bubo
subarcticus)
Comparison Table
owl (Bubo
scalariventris)
Comparison Table
Length
saturatus)
Length
pacificus)
Comparison Table
262
Comparison Table
268
264
264
264
264
Golor Elates
(Plates appear after page
barn owl
Florida barrlu
owl
IX
xxvi
22
XXVII
XXVHI
XXIX
acadicus)
XXX
38
acadicus brooksi)
XI
Richardson's
owl
XII
XVI
aiken's screech
54
70
OWL
(OtUS
xxxix
70
floridanus)
asio
xli
86
(OtUS
asio
trichopsis
134
ARIZONA WHISKERED
OWL
(OtUS
134
(SpeOtytO
OWL
XLII
134
(SpeotytO
150
150
snowy owl
American
w hitneyi
150
(Nyctea scandiaca)
hawk owl
caparoch)
70
OWL
OSXO
118
idonea)
asio
xl
w hitneyi
aSlO
asio
118
cunicularia floridana)
asio
xxxviii
CALIFORNIA SCREECH
118
cunicularia hypugaea)
asio
cineraceus)
XXI
(Otus
XXXVII
brewsteri)
XX
XXXVI
owl
flammeolus)
asio
54
bendirei)
XIX
54
asio
XVIII
xxxv
asio
118
trichopsis asperus)
aikeni)
XVII
XXXIV
Endpapers
naevius)
102
(Asio OtUS
asio
yumanensis)
xxxiii
38
flammeus)
XV
XXXII
102
swenki)
tuftsi)
XIV
38
38
wilsonianus)
XIII
XXXI
(Aegolius funereus
richardsoni)
102
suttoni)
asio
102
quercinus)
(Aegolius acadicus
(Otus
mccallii)
(Strix nebulosa
22
saw-whet owl
owl
kennicott's screech
asio maxwelliae)
22
86
asio inyoensis)
asio macfarlanei)
22
asio
86
kennicottii)
(Strix
occidentalis lucida)
vm
(Otus
(Strix
occidentalis caurina)
VII
(Strix
occidentalis occidentalis)
VI
XXrV
xxv
OWL
86
(Strix varia
CALIFORNIA SPOTTED
asio
xxiii
hasbroucki)
helveola)
(Strix varia
xxn
(Strix varia
georgica )
rv
number)
150
(Surnia ulula
166
166
XLIII
CALIFORNIA
xliv
Arizona pygmy
gnoma
xlv
xlvi
xlvh
californicum)
owl
xllx
ST.
LI
Lrv
pacific
pacificus
LV
198
virginianus
1 98
182
LVH
198
virginianus
214
ONTARIO HORNED
OWL (Bubo
virginianus scalariventris )
virginianus
Lvni
182
arctic horned
owl (Bubo
subarcticus)
198
182
LIH
lvi
166
(Glaucidium
brasilianum ridgwayi)
xlviii
LH
LIX
182
virginianus heterocnemis)
182
214
214
virginianus
wapacuthu)
Frontispiece
Acknowledgments
becomes neces-
professional scientists
sary.
and laymen
alike,
fortunate in receiving
aid in
many,
in
dividually.
we wish
efforts
to
To
attempt
to
fact,
those
listing
many
them
people
all
too
here
in-
of such assistance,
on our behalf.
Especially are
logical
Traylor,
we indebted
to the vast
number
of sci-
been
possible.
or in the text
mention
would be
in
of
work are
listed at the
itself
For
tion,
efforts
to
in
such matters as
and
for
his advice
and
facilities, as
extremely co-operative
staff.
and
scientific
and presently
For
to
his
in retirement at
connection with
to
this
to
September
ig~/2
Illinois.
and production
F.
who
super-
sonal interest in
this
and, most particularly, for their determination to maintain the highest standards of quality in reproduction of
text.
KARL
Englewood, Florida
in
Saunders,
Englewood, Florida.
Emmet
B.
Margaret
standpoint,
well as for
ter
tended
ex-
his helpful
we
Illinois,
E.
Introduction
thus far
On
a world-wide
No
much
stillbirth
wisdom or prophecy,
frequently
represented
and
it
some
war or death,
fancy. For
truth or omniscience,
in
emblem,
effigy,
monly represented
other
fundamentally misunderstood or so
of
and
less
is
and was
and
most
more abundant
as the classification
The
is
described in detail.
or
more com-
symbol,
similar characteristics
especially
the
termination.
are
is
The geographic
variations
races
or sub-
bounded
species
known
this
book,
nent
is
rarely
separable
into
distinctly
intergrades
every
species? In
museum
species
all
cases,
the authors
personnel studied
all
siderable
moment when
came
it
to a determination of
The matter
decidedly sticky
accepted as
issue.
species continue to be
it
becomes
It
is
difficult to
named and
keep pace.
new
may
whose
validity
described.
Where
more
dis-
was concerned there were similar diffiwas important to include all known aspects
culties.
text
It
owls, as a
scientific
order
(Strigiformes)
have many
will
which seem
all
over North
truly to set
them
matter, excluded.
Admittedly, the authors are not taxonomists and perhaps, for the purposes of this volume, advantageously
not.
Judgment,
as
colored or
species asio,
Robert Ridgway. Therefore, under this headwould appear as: Otus asio maxwelliae (Ridg-
thologist
ing
way). Following
published
Edition,
as
1957)
eighteen owl species
in
that Check-list.
the
most
foundation.
reliable
clude,
The
species, fifty-two
Some
of the seven
new
scribed until
The
1 96 1.
In addition, there
with
portions of the
had previous
is
this
introductory sec-
a Glossary of
Terms
this,
sci-
scientific
will
be
given here.
In some cases
describer
name,
not.
is
This
it
the
of
shown
will
is
Where
but where
name,
it
the
today;
of the
scientific
in parentheses,
valid
name
bird,
intentional
is
of the describer
scriber's
all visible
it
means
parentheses
it
still
enclose
name
means
remains
the
de-
OTHER NAMES
will be better known in a specific area
name other than its standard English name.
Such a name may be a local name, nickname, regional
name, or foreign name. Under this heading will be listed
Often an owl
by a
for
such designation.
at the
it
will
art
and
owl discussions
to follow. Naturally,
made
major
wherever owls as
The headings
themselves and
i.
Barred
Owl
sometimes turn
as follows
ing posture.
2.
Screech
(From subspecies
just
depicting
how middle
Owl (Otus
for grasping,
COMMON NAME
(Strix varia)
to
asio)
is
toe will
in relaxed perch-
georgica.)
(From subspecies
naevius.
3.
The most commonly used and generally accepted English name of the subspecies under discussion will be
the one used to designate each of the fifty-nine birds in-
tomary rearward-pointing
position.
dentalis.)
4.
cluded.
5.
in
talon study.
normal ground-
SCIENTIFIC
6.
Elf
Owl
(Micrathene
DESCRIPTION
7.
whitneyi)
From
with
foot
one-quarter
subspecies idonea.)
fully
open
for snatching
prey.
Here
scientific
xw
will
name
of each owl.
Introduction
foot fully
open
for
Tio^J^^
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
In linear measurements,
all
have been
initially cali-
Here
will
Under
major
and recognizable
heading as
this
well, for
own
this
to conjecture. Is the
wingspan?
Is
it
in millimeters
have been
the
only
comparison
mean
it
measurements
aid, these
all
is
an
its
the statement
as
right.
in
If
the
Owl
Owl
is
Great Gray
length,
Owl
in
yet
wingspan and
attempting to resolve
this
matter
in
of relative
size,
which
takes
into
consideration
all
Table
i.)
It
is
through use of
relative rank-in-size
this
three
factors
of
(See Comparison
647.1
in-
6345764
inches.
conversion figure of 25.4 gives a result of 1,612.9 millimeters, which makes the end result in millimeters ap-
and inches
to six
purpose here.
The
characteristics
WEIGHT
All weights indicated are for birds that
FLIGHT PATTERN
were
alive
are given
in
is
in ounces.
flight
the
undulation or levelness,
flying.
asio),
2.
CALIBRATIONS
virginianus)
all
3.
Head
(left)
compared
Owl (Otus
formation than
and
(From subspecies
skull
(right)
of
to the typical
in
virginianus.)
pratincola.)
4.
virginianus
virginianus)
number
skull
skull
of Screech
(below)
skull
cavities
of
the
ounces.
Introduction
three
species
depicted.
The
ear
E*
^H^
Wm
v-
ry*\AvS
It
*%*?
<fr6
>'C
s>.
/'WwfcXw-'O
whole,
plus
minimum,
the
and maximum
average,
rank in
maximum
among
weight
Color of the
irides
and
5 for relative
the species.
of
all
eighteen species.)
their vision
The
eyes of
all
is
unlike
LINEAR MEASUREMENTS
near and
measured for
birds
this
number
of
the
is
tail.
Wingspan
7.)
is
one
wing
in
straight
line
8 and
9.
Individual
to
outermost
the
out-
Wing Length
is
the straight-line
most
tip
the
of
parison Tables
longest
to the outer-
primary feather.
(See
Com-
the straight-
is
tail,
from the
outermost
Beak Length
is
line,
and
its
limit.
from the
far.
the
of
eye,
a tube-shaped
set in
is
allowing
thus
incredible
for
of trees, there
is
a nictitating
the Barred
membrane which
Owls
damage during
made
are
that
all
owls have
translucent. (In
is
is
There
usually
membrane
opaque.) This
is
flying
this
damage
claim
not substantive.
is
lower
its
it
turn,
raise,
or
what
specific
which follow
owl headings.
TALONS
The hearing
This heading includes the specific characteristics
in-
and
in the
under
It
light-
other aspects.
and cornea
the lens
gathering
humans
15.)
LEGS, FEET,
Also,
among
of owls
is
very probably
It
is
among
the most
with
all
may
is
reversible
The
and
in
two
xv in
1.93
OWL PELLETS
authors,
found usually
ble material
etc.
sites of owls.
at or
near nesting
sites
or favored roosting
,_
c -f \jc\i Ji'ze
G^-eqT
ra<*l*-
,iV'
*
,^
f/<sff<j
on
city /i 5
c?u/f
/v6/e
Alo^tU
1"h5 ^e<*
Pox /?iven
tff.X
^^ ^
n
frCif-
in
floJ-/dc\
fowoc/
CK^sh^
m/^/5
c/
pallets.
Skulls A'oT
many
Not
Although owl-banding programs have increased
cases asymmetri-
is
somewhat a dearth
still
in
of infor-
in this respect.
become necessary
to rely
length
of
life,
and
it
has
of death, death
matters
related
and
an indicator,
serves as something of
this
cause
Mostly
while
does not
it
what may actually occur under normal wild conditions. Whatever is known regarding the
mortality and longevity of the owls is included under
necessarily reflect
this
species.
It
is
interesting to note
MOLT
first
Not all owls have ear tufts, which are simply erectile
head feathers and have nothing whatever to do with
the sense of hearing.
tufts
doubtful but
is
these
is
specific
molt that
is
undergone by
An
lesser degree.
flight
is
all
species to a greater or
is
subspecies.
is
flight.
The
written or painted
closely
is
mind
that
representative
what
of
the
tics
VOICE
Some
whose
such
ventriloquistic.
in
It
the
as the
addition,
little
many
especially
made
is
under
this
to
reproduce the
if
this
is
Where
CHARACTERISTICS
reproduce
effort
species.
short
is
virtually all
breeding
Barred Owls
during
vocal
especially
in
juvenile colorations
call
in
specific owl,
written form
OWLS
known.
Great Horned
proximately
2.
five
Owl
(Bubo
virginianus
virginianus)
ap-
caurina)
ap-
weeks old.
[Strix
occidentalis
SEXUAL DIFFERENCES:
SIZE, COLOR, VOICE
4.
six
male and, in
many cases, her voice tends to be higher. Sometimes
there is a difference in coloration to some degree.
rule,
xx
is
Saw-whet
Owl
acadicus
{Aegolius
acadicus)
approxi-
5.
Long-eared
weeks
Owl
(Asio
otus
wilsonianus)
approximately
old.
Eastern Screech
Owl (Otus
asio naevius)
hatching.
6.
Eastern Screech
two weeks
7.
Owl (Otus
Great Horned
Owl (Bubo
Introduction
asio naevius)
approximately
old.
virginianus
to four
weeks
virginianus)
old.
ap-
%/$,
weei<$
old
$
\
'/
Vc^
aowi nc%
Jc/vertle sffliiL}
Xftf
LIFE
CHARACTERISTICS
HUNTING METHODS
AND CARRYING OF PREY
FOOD, FEEDING HABITS, WASTES
From
time they leave the nest, and even beyond, the young
birds
and
under
this
head-
ing.
information
and
its
under discussion,
regarding
favored,
the owl
provided
is
roosting
type
specific
of
terrain
is
how
secures
it
carries
its
prey,
much
as a
feeding.
to the
above
is
ANNUAL BROODS,
Under
range,
if
maps
any,
specifics
of
the
is
indicated by
is
MIGRATION
species,
along
with
though owls are almost universally single-brooded, sometimes they do lay second or even third sets of eggs in a
single year.
EGGS
Under this heading
the number of eggs
at
is
scarcely
Characteristics
all.
in
areas.
NEST,
described in
and
NESTING HABITS
ities
is
for each
an accompanying North American distributional
tributional
of each subspecies
distribution
is
listed
not only
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
in various
difficult to
known about
their
still
remains un-
is
in a nest
xxn
the heading
through so
that
many
The Owls
centuries. It
of
is
North America
will
help to dispel
accumulated
myths and superstitions that
and text
art
of
about owls and that this presentation
will bring a greater appreciation and understanding of
just what an owl is, what it does, and its place in our
the
world today.
Introduction
have
2.
Talon
Thigh
3.
Belly
i.
Flank
23.
Scapulars
13.
Crown
24.
Greater Coverts
14.
Forehead
25. Tertials
12. Iris
15.
Superciliary (Eyebrow)
26.
Secondaries
Side
16.
Pupil
27.
Rump
6.
Breast
17. Facial
7.
Malar Region
18.
Side of
Hindneck
4.
5.
Rim
28. Upper-tail
Head
8.
Lores
19.
9.
Facial Disk
10.
21.
1 1
22.
Back
Middle
(or
(or
29.
Nape)
Median) Coverts
Coverts
Primaries
Tarsus
33.
Foot
Primaries
12.
Facial
Secondaries
13.
Suborbital Area
24.
14.
Ear Tuft
25.
26. Breast
Chin
Gular Area (or Throat)
3-
Flank Feathers
4-
Fluting
15.
Crown
Greater Coverts
16.
27.
Side
5-
28.
Median
6.
Alula
17.
Forehead
7-
Lesser Coverts
18.
Supraorbital Area
29. Belly
B.
Axillaries
19.
')
20. Side of
Culmen (Beak)
Head
31.
Shoulder
21. Facial
10.
1
Rim
I.
2.
1.
Ear
22.
Disk
30.
Talon
Vent (or Cloaca)
22
23
2.
Outer Toe
Talon
15.
Rictal Bristles
29.
Shoulder
16.
Cere (Nostrils)
30.
Neck
3.
Primaries
17.
Forehead
4.
Middle Toe
18.
32.
5.
Tarsus
19.
Crown
33. Scapulars
6.
Greater Coverts
7.
Flutings
21. Facial
Ear Coverts'
Rim
34.
Back
Lower Back
35. Secondaries
8.
Middle
22.
Ear Tuft
36.
Rump
9.
Alula
23.
37.
Heel
10.
Throat
24.
Ear
11.
25.
Hindneck (Nape)
26.
Side of
27.
12.
13.
14.
(or
Median) Coverts
28. Facial
Head
Disk
39. Inner
Toe
41.
Hind Toe
42.
Foot
SPECIES
AND
rsre
SUBSPECIES OF
ews
OF NORTH AMERICA
(NORTH OF MEXICO)
ally frequents
South.
ghost owl
pearance in
flight, especially in
SPECIES
meaning
French-Canadian
l'effraie
"The
meaning
ORDER:
STRIGIFORMES
Frightener."
FAMILY:
TYTONIDAE
like
SUBFAMILY:
TYTONINAE
GENUS:
Tyto (Billberg)
monkey-faced owl
monkey"monkey" aspect
dark, and somewhat beady-
For the
distinctive,
orange owl
some.
SPECIES:
(Scopoli)
alba
queen-of-the-night Because
and its imperiality at roost.
owl
spirit
BARN OWL
(Bonaparte)
it
often
its
grace in flight
inhabits
deserted
sweetheart owl
figuration of
its
facial disks.
BARN OWL
light color-
how-
{COLOR PLATE
or
SUBSPECIES
pratincola
Because
of
and,
I)
is
often,
less
for
virginianus subarcticus)
NAME AND
SCIENTIFIC
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
7.
New name
for Strix
Volume VI,
flammea
181
2,
page
sylvania
without
specific
names: Strix flammea, Strix flammea americana, Strix flammea pratincola, Aluco pratincola, Strix
scientific
pratincola.
Medium-large
in
Owl
and
somewhat
configuration
tufts
its
facial
triangular,
and
and heart-shaped.
quite
long
stance
much
appears
it
it
often
takes
of
its
long,
distinctively
is
rather
legs
Its
are
knock-kneed
expansive wingspan,
is
distinctly white
dim
appearance
in
light.
who
associate
it
with a
OTHER NAMES
world.
somewhat long-nosed
citrus
owl
though
it
occasion-
continent.
to the
viewer to be a
Rank
Sixth.
Barn Owl
The unusually
in
over-all
more
aspect,
bit catlike
size
among
the
eighteen
species:
SHAPE AT REST
Tends
when
WINGSPAN
perched, whether on
Species average
on a
flat surface.
its size
than
seen
is
1,084.4
mm.
(42.7").
Male
in other owls.
Average
1,066.1
Minimum
Maximum
1,029.0
Rank
in
1,105.0
Female
mm.
mm.
mm.
(42.0")
1,102.6
(40.5")
1,062.1
(43.5")
1,143.0
mm.
mm.
mm.
(43.4")
(41.9")
(45.0")
SHAPE IN FLIGHT
INDIVIDUAL WING LENGTH
Most likely to be mistaken for the Short-eared Owl
(Asio flammeus flammeus) in flight, especially since
ranges often overlap,
their
blunt
rather
so
appearance.
(13.0").
Male
pronounced a
Average
In
Minimum
Maximum
flight
mm.
Female
mm.
31 1.2 mm.
3419 mm.
324.9
Rank
in
(12.8")
332.7
(12.3")
317.0
(13.5")
356.6
mm.
mm.
mm.
(13.1")
(12.5")
(14.1")
FLIGHT PATTERN
TAIL LENGTH
side to
a strangely moth-
Male
on the average)
during
side
flight
its
the bird
to
its
flying,
be and
long,
wings
frightened from
is
daylight hours,
of
This characteristic of
reeling flight
bewilderment
in
when
fairly
with
flies
when
there
is
its
at
times
Average
136.8
Minimum
Maximum
124.8
Rank
length
(6.2").
Female
mm.
mm.
mm.
15 1.1
in tail
mm.
(5.4")
176.4
(4.9")
160.3
(6.0")
192.6
among
mm.
mm.
mm.
(7.0")
(6.3")
(7.6")
it is
quite swift
lightly,
flies
BEAK LENGTH
gracefully,
flap
an
in
erratic
mm.
(1.0").
Male
birds
Average
23.4
Minimum
Maximum
21.1
Rank
in
Female
mm.
mm.
mm.
25.4
beak length
(0.9")
25.4
(0.8")
22.9
(1.0")
30.5
among
mm.
mm.
mm.
(1.0")
(0.9")
(1.2")
WEIGHT
Species average: 442.2
LEGS, FEET,
Male
Average
383.9 gr.
(13.4 oz.)
31 1.9 gr.
(10.9 oz.)
5 00 -5 gr3 8 3- gr-
('7-5 oz.)
Minimum
Maximum
(i34
oz.
507.5 gr.
(17.8 oz.)
573-2 gr.
(20.1
oz.
Rank
in
weight
among
TALONS
Female
The
73.3
mm.
female,
ing
the
is
male and
(2.6") in the
talon.
The upper
legs
are
coarsely
TOTAL LENGTH
Species average: 441.8
mm.
423.0
Minimum
Maximum
485.4
Rank
360.7
in total
mm.
mm.
mm.
length
(17.4").
Male
Average
LIFE STUDIES OF
Female
16.7")
460.5
(14.2")
386.3
(19.1")
534.7
among
mm.
mm.
mm.
Villa, Illinois,
showed
in
little
(18.1")
upon
(15.2")
(21. 1")
number
silo
BARN OWL
near Cedar Lake at Lake
unharmed
of quick sketches
allowing the
before casually
Barn Owl
but not
much more
artist
time
for
scantily feathered
The
upward
downward
rather than
as
the frontside feathers do. All the toes are only sparsely
covered with
inner toe
almost indistinguishable
fine,
as long as the
is
its
The
bristles.
short,
maintaining a grip on
its
prey.
Legs and
where
feet
ears
ity
full
The
abil-
sound;
In a specially
the
thus,
made by
noise
the
prey
potential
of
tification
ears also
whence
from
direction
As with
tected
all
the
against
possibly against
struggles
collision
of
its
prey
(as
is
pro-
well
as
by a nictitating membrane.
an owl of
this size.
The
Most
is
an understandable one. In actuality, the iris is a deep mahogany brown, with such depth
of hue as often to appear as black as the pupil under
poor lighting conditions. Although the Barn Owl's
an inaccuracy,
albeit
more important
role in hunting than do the eyes. (See Ears and Hearing.)
Unlike the majority of North American owls,
which can see quite well in the daytime, the Barn Owl
shows a strong dislike for any bright light and has
night vision
is
showed a
the
sound
perched.
the eyes
is
Location of prey
chiefly
is
the
is
at a distance of thirty
yards or more.
MOLT
The
has no ear
tufts.
with the
The
it is
bird's
plumage
equally very
soft,
flight
called flutings
fly
is
all
our owl
species.
be heard.
year, usually in
though
as
it
no
could be
slightest
felt
on the
skin
whisper of sound
al-
However, the
is
BARN OWL
II
Strix
Cook County,
Barn Owl
varia
varia
Illinois,
April
1968.
,VW*<
^r^
fX
<
*tt
and ending
as
late
as
is
quality.
It
described
best
is
sound, as in the
ten-second intervals at
prolonged clicking
as
letters cliaaackkk!\
repeated at about
first,
VOICE
The Barn Owl makes a
hissings,
pings,
When
fluctuations.
whining
cry,
The
is
all
call
weeks
and
make a
also tend to
when
disturbed
and
call
if
is
open
as the cry
uttered. It
is
rem-
the hun-
from
wide
mouth
mouth
is
is
call
pitch
Owl,
it
call
The young
insistent.
same
this
usually uttering
The
the Barn
dramatically
make
all cries of
birds
Owl
adult Barn
seems to be limited to
made when
The
to
nest,
and
is
five vocal
common among
rather menacing in
follows
i.
contact
call,
normally given in
which
flight,
one another.
cry,
much
dious.
It
It
is,
softer sound,
though not
much more
melo-
which
it
m
Strix varia georgica
is
FLORIDA BARRED
varia
helveola
20,
(Bangs).
is
no
alphabet through
Owl
The growl
is
flying
is
prolonged for
six
toward the
listener.
or seven seconds
and
seconds
several
established
between.
this
in
mating
alert his
form
what
rkk!
4.
call,
bird
is
and makes
this
excited
skyward,
is
breathless manner. It
of all the
is
more
is
vocal.
SEXUAL DIFFERENCES
1969.
As
in
Christi,
easily cause
adequate combination of
Strix
can
OWL
of
rv
is
five
human
character.
continue
call for
it
in the darkness,
not too
is
is
if
iniscent of the
An
2.
20,
1910.
A.O.U.
Barn Owl
no correla-
is
is
dorsal surface
are
usually well
scapulars.
The wings
black or,
grayish
less
frequently,
seems to
barred.
distinctly
Breast,
belly,
and other
more
of
of
this
rats
Of
the rectrices.
disk
facial
is
tail
is
encircled
end of the
to
feathers.
is
con-
larly
V-marked or sometimes
tail is
The
brown. The
facial disk
is
a medium-sienna
tint
rather
than white.
whatever
darker
in
the
than
orange-breasted
in
the
white-
breasted phase.
is
to
though not so
example the Eastern Screech Owl (Otus asio
naevius) in which the dichromatism is quite manifest
in sharply defined red-phase and gray-phase birds. The
Barn Owl color-phase difference is limited to a light
tawny whitish coloration generally, which is referred to
as the white-breasted phase (see Color Plate I), and a
its
race,
as
for
darker
somewhat
and
more
yellow-orange-brownish
and markings
The gray
spottings
less
on
extensive
the
orange which
is
tawny
to white.
from a
more
is
Owl {Tyto
upon head
is
Barn Owl
is
detected, where-
K.e.iC
is
when many
days,
is
its
on the cloudiest of
roost even
An
exception
watching him
their perch,
when he stopped
he ascended. Even
sleepily as
unduly alarmed. One was a partial albino and permitted the author to reach out and touch it before
taking wing rather sullenly through an opening in the
The
roof.
silo
bird,
allowed
made no
rungs,
to
itself
sign of
bottom of the
began struggling. The bird was checked
it
leg. It
and
lot
it
sat
in the
there
facet
feathers
its
of
the
character
bird's
that
is
it
normally a
and begin
its
its
the Barn
evening hunt.
and
casionally perch
it is
two
its
hour before
distinctly
is
a bird of open
man
much
man and
yet
observed
is
less in-
its
life-
Often
less.
up residence in the very midst of a buscity and yet remain undetected, primarily
town or
tling
because they are so thoroughly nocturnal in their hunting habits and so exclusively retiring during the day-
light hours.
served by man,
residences,
band on its
open barn
nocturnal
strictly
fries,
inside
open
silos,
bel-
attics,
wells,
community
of
rarely come.
and
man and
yet
in
sion
it
beside resi-
trees
On
occa-
going
roosts.
inward horizontally for three or four feet in easily excavated stream banks. In areas where there are cliffs, such
as along Pacific coastal areas, roosts are often in cliff
old
mine
ing
is
shafts.
in cul-
sunrise.
verts.
and the
it
not at
is
area
nest
or
all
roost
fastidious in
is
usually
its
rather
and excrement.
It
is
farm buildings,
neath bridges,
steeples,
silos,
windmills,
different kinds
churches,
be-
places.
of the
Owl
flying
deserted
same
it
is
relatively close in
size
to
lots,
prairies, orchards,
truck-farm
areas,
plots,
down
near
alleys,
the Short-
and is a hunter
distinguishing between the two is
Miscellaneous
The
10
foraging, they
corncribs
Although
eared
stubby-necked, bullet-headed
Barn Owl
field
studies
of
the
Barn Owl
{Tyto
alba
fc^J Look
f>o
oft
<*)**i0s1~
hefos
an interval of from
thereafter, with
to several
its
around the
it
The owl
first,
making
on
Because of
its
old
tree
its
way.
and nesting
in
often responsible
is
The
ing
calls,
along with
bird's
its
ghostlike flight
stories as
it
exit.
by
edly,
practically all
enemy
man
is
who
it
was
is
not as great in
Owl
is
it.
Good
its
conservation edu-
cation has also aided in stopping the pointless destruction of the birds. Nevertheless, a great
when
many
are
still
appearing bird.
Many
are
still
Owl (Bubo
this
is
virginianus virginianus)
The
the Great
kill
without any
it
enemy
of
if
its
From
above, the
crush
away from
the feathered
enemy.
Though
Owl
is
Owl
with
dis-
considerably the
larger, usually
it
is
virginianus subspecies.
such
is
Owl. Songbirds
do not seem
to recognize the
Barn
in
Even when still quite young, the Barn Owl can put
up a good defense. Fledglings in the nest will snap their
beaks and sway their heads much in the manner of
adults. If the enemy comes too close, they will throw
themselves upon their backs and strike out with the
powerful talons. Even if the enemy does not attack but
is
only
Horned
RODENT FOOD OF THE BARN OWL
or others of the
and more ferocious owl will attack, kill, and devour a Barn Owl without hesitation. Strangely, if there is no building or
natural hollow nearby into which the Barn Owl can
quickly fly and hide itself at the appearance of the Great
Horned Owl. it will often seem to give up and allow the
12
pounce and
itself.
man.
Bubo
through indiscrim-
killed
Where
to
defend
being "haunted."
real effort to
than a minute
less
Owl
Great Horned
larger
more
will
often, frogs
here.
Normally,
size,
this
sparrows, or
rodents,
owl confines
its
most
some
of
itself
to
Barn Owl
eat
and snakes,
5cJ
Pre^) foh
5/
2.
f) o
m fen a-^Q
O^U
*e< d*tt
^Oc
^^
/..
s ,* y/)c/
^
/Are.
13 -/ff m,
/7-27
6
/V>,
7*o
/s.
^ 0</ ^j.
remains
close,
offensive.
before
lently,
Even
back,
intruder.
to
feet
when
it
quite
is
consider-
able
instantly
The
to his
and
and
deeply
flesh
harm
desire to
it
too close
it
puncturing the
There was no
painfully.
so
instantly
thigh,
Owl
the bird
difficulty
and
make
stop,
close passes
Owl
waking hours. A seemingly tireless hunter, it probably spends more time on the wing than any other owl.
Although it will occasionally perch on rafters, eaves, or
its
and await the appearance of prey, more often it prefers to range silently back and forth, less than
ten feet off the ground, over meadows, stubble fields,
marshes, open woodlands, and orchards. During such
tree limbs
times
its
tions
and
its
mouse or
rat
angles toward
ten snap
it.
is
When
attuned to
the prey
usually
Owl
beak once, or
its
When
is
aided by the
is
issue
swiftly
will of-
a brief growling
hiss.
This evidently has the faculty of making the prey, units tracks in an inWithout hesitation the owl
arrows to the exact spot where the sound of movement
ceased and strikes with wide-open talons on both feet.
The instant that flesh is encountered, the foot making
contact closes and the talons drive deeply into the prey,
killing it at once. As is common among all owls, in that
instant of contact the owl closes its eyes tightly until it
aware of danger
membranes
mouse or
sound of the
to the
its
hiss or
ground
in front of the
prey. If
running at the
cats.
More
is
of-
it
is
During the nesting season the adult carries it directly back to the nest for its young, but at other times
it flies to a convenient perch ten feet or more above the
ground before feeding. Almost all prey carried away by
the Barn Owl is carried in the beak. Only with the largkilled.
will pass
Large
low
insects,
large moths,
a certain
number
eaten. Equally,
and
crayfish
The
More
rous.
sparrow or
when a
make up
bird
is
taken,
it
is
and
starling. Birds
starlings
are in
fact
less
taken,
Owl
These
include
grackles,
wrens,
cowbirds,
pellets.
swallows,
and somerails,
green
and occasionally
even a small duck. Seldom, if ever, does the Barn Owl
attack domestic poultry. Now and then, though never
on a regular basis, the Barn Owl will catch and eat fish.
herons, clapper
Usually
rails,
this occurs
flickers,
when a
fish
pigeons,
Among mammals,
although
ground
young
still
does
ever, will
if
rarely,
ing.
its
But only
it.
continues
est of rats
The owl
until
from the
again.
to
wits
is
it
agility as the
its
manage
does
if it
croak, they will open their wings and run fiercely at the
The
can collect
it
Owl
squirrels
rabbits,
of
Barn Owl
mammals,
reptiles,
insects,
mice,
and amphibians
rat.
is
enough
and
bits
mates for
The shape
often, tapered.
let,
mammals
Owl
is
by the
in-
its
owl
is
perched and,
roost.
As a
result, roosts
and
nests
and decomposed
old,
virtually
pellets
whole
its
roost
let
floor area
In addition to pellet
the Barn
Owl
is
Where
much
to
The excrement
is
intensify
and
Owl
is
concerned,
known
it is
to
look as
if
it
male
Barn Owl watches intently all
almost immediately
will
in
male
place, the
will
circle
front of
o or 15
feet.
Though
him
to
at-
and resuming
tentions
is
his
fluttering
as
his
fall
takes
still
is
the
falling
issue
At
proved of
Usually he returns in
less
male
away.
he
he
flies
him and,
this
time
With
the
prey
from
the female accepts
surprising delicacy,
ute,
after holding
it
and
it
whole.
to
courtship
pairs
soundless
same
since the
more
life,
our
in
suspected,
is
It
of the
six small
filled.
or,
less
others,
some gaps
alba pratincola,
is
in
feathers,
pellet
known
is
tates
activities;
Among some
nothing
species, virtually
whitewashed.
Following
this,
copulation
usually
occurs.
The
fe-
and
tilts
his cloacal
opening close
to hers
The male
own
presses
The
about
many
owls, the
act of copulation
five
is
first,
fly off
way
and the male close behind her. Copulation probably occurs numerous times over the next eight or ten nights.
Barn Owl
'5
ANNUAL BROODS,
NEST,
cases the
NESTING HABITS
Owl
if
breeding
its
is
brood
known
during those
to be in their nests
undisturbed on their
nesting
bone,
and
Barn Owls,
return to the same
will
nests,
site
feather,
hair,
The
powering
filth
to
close
male
months
is
will sleep to
also.
not at
is
all
choosy in regard to
a nesting
site.
settings.
oaks,
live
EGGS
sion,
Number
per nesting
minimum
of four
common. Once
a while there
in
is
may
be twelve and
of eggs
cessful
nesting on
cliff
faces
of
flat
spot within
abandoned burrow
other such
mammal
burrow much
Equally,
it
is
in
of
and,
sitting
the
will nest
it
in
woodchuck, or
does
so,
it
tends to
manner
of the
Burrowing Owl.
and go inward on a
ward
slightly to
end
in a
hori-
down-
abandoned
own
squirrels, the
their
and chambers
for
them-
in the
holes of
ground
flood-
largest
deposit
although the
fe-
daylight
the
all
single
clutch with her wings and body from the sun's rays, the
Color
underground
badger,
when
The
whatever
to the eggs
crement.
Shape
of most
North American
On
Owl
are
may
liptically
with
one
end
slightly
smaller
el-
than
the other.
Very
Texture
finely
smooth.
Size
size,
waters.
No
cliff
is
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
is
such area, the eggs are simply laid on the bare surface.
In
natural
tree
hollows
been brought
in
laid
on the wood
may have
collected natu-
they are
length:
48.3
length:
35.1
width:
39.8
width:
26.8
Interval of egg-laying
intervals of
The
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
eggs
may
(1.9")
(1.4")
(1.6")
(i.i")
be laid singly at
in pairs at intervals of
or
16
woodchuck
all
Egg-laying dates
Barn Owl
laid
earliest,
January 17:
June
latest,
normally between
7;
March
North
March
latest,
March
December 24;
normally between March 2 and
America:
The
earliest,
24.
earliest,
December
latest,
12;
March
13;
28.
fuzzy white
On
down
down
be-
first
On
staggered. Well-developed
is
first
egg hatches
last egg.
some divergence of opinion about the incubation period required for the hatching of an individual egg. Some authorities have stated as short a period
is
much as 35 days.
much depends on how well incubated the
and how often or for what length of time the
when
sit
side
by
side,
The
its
its
On
will either
it
from
be handled withit
will roll
eat,
hunger continues
at
it
swallowed
still
strike
still
could
can
it
hisses sharply,
does most of the brooding and the male keeps her well
neck to see
feet.
fly
it
its
severely provoked,
if
back and
disturbed
its
menacingly; but
high peak.
When
wings, lowers
its
craning
fullest height,
surroundings better.
eggs are
disturbed.
often stands to
side to side
eggs,
this stage
docile
relatively
still
spreads
air.
At
alert to everything.
Evidently,
more
When
as
not nearby.
are
gins appearing
Florida:
There
bird's
in
six
the seventh.
The
defensive
reaction
more apparent by
mains
at
peak
the
of
levels.
The young
Fed
becomes
and hunger re-
fledgling
all
the mice
it
wanted, a
the
LIFE
CHARACTERISTICS
one continued
last
time.
By
to
hang out
of
it
may
The youngest
down and
are
somewhat
stronger,
of the
The
and,
if
food
is
scarce, cannibalism
The
occur in the
usually trod
nest.
upon and
fail,
it
is
forty-fourth day
wearing
Barn Owl
it
is
much
their
larger
nestmates.
all
time the young are several days old and have begun to
take whole food
and swallow
it,
them
as
well.
Throughout each night the young birds are fed almost continuously by the hard-pressed parents. When
the babies are younger, the hunting of the parents some-
which
food,
is
by.
In
one well-observed
in less
mammals, including
21
case,
parent
bird
squirrel, 3 gophers,
rat,
and
16 mice.
species,
Tyto alba
is
BARN OWL
Tyto alba pratincola (Bonaparte)
become clad
plumage, as
so characteristic of other
is
North American
hawk
Among
all
it
is
owls.
From
some weight,
young
no longer able to provide as much for them as they demand. Wings and tail are developing well, and by the
sixty-sixth
first-winter
parent bird.
in the
is
as
much
as the
for another
hunt for
On
itself.
the seventieth
day
at
the
earliest
and by the
eighty-sixth
in
random
The
day
directions.
18
all
to southern Flor-
ida.
to
southern Saskatchewan
is
daily
southward through
MIGRATION
First-winter juveniles from
of
move southward
movement that has some
Barn Owl
is
not
Barn Owl
first-winter
incola
is
its
is
Barn Owls are more inclined to wander aimand for greater distances during late autumn and
its
breeding
an
ysis
lessly
20
and
far out
to
rats,
1
meadow
pine mice,
mole,
sparrow.
Barn Owl
America,
rest.
in
They con-
tion. All
wandered
Institution
protected
is
well
as
it
species
should
be.
and
throughout
In
other
this bird
North
countries
is
becoming
it.
In
indiscriminately.
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
The Barn Owl
is
among
its life,
It is
on an annual basis
man and his crops. Extensive
studies of Barn Owl pellets have been made in various
areas of the world and the conclusions are markedly
90 per cent of
its
diet
similar.
pellets
Of
individual
animal remains
one Barn
made up
the remaining
.3
Owl
meadow
rats in the
and
far
more than
is
practically inestimable.
The same
bats
young rabbits
that an
South
143 rats
34 other birds
4 lizards
174 frogs
25 moths
52 crickets
23 starlings
shown
2,239
1,407 mice
per cent.
Owl
in the pellets,
The
per cent
included:
totals
Barn Owl
*9
round-headed owl
less
swamp owl
wood owl
SPECIES
STRIGIFORMES
FAMILY
STRIGIDAE
SPECIES
varia Barton
distinctive, large,
tuft-
it
favors.
woodland habitat
for the
it
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
One
Strix Linnaeus
its
likes.
ORDER:
GENUS:
For
head.
is
easily recognizable
barred plumage,
because of
its
rounded and earless head, and the rather swollen appearance of its
neck plumage. A heavily built and rather obese-appeardistinctly
ing owl,
it
is
its
large
surpassed in size
Great Horned
SUBSPECIES
the
its
throat
it
tends to have a
is
always an
NORTHERN BARRED
varia Barton
OWL
Latham
georgica
FLORIDA BARRED
OWL
and
an odd sense of innocence, rather than the fierce look
of the Great Horned Owl. It is distinguishable from the
latter owl by the fact that it is somewhat smaller, has no
ear tufts, and is a much grayer owl in over-all coloration.
The
below
(Bangs)
helveola
that, the
Rank
in
over-all
size
among
the
eighteen
species:
Fourth.
II)
SHAPE AT REST
Because of the manner in which
SCIENTIFIC
head
NAME AND
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Strix varia varia Barton. Original description
Strix
in the
it
tends to couch
its
SHAPE IN FLIGHT
OTHER NAMES
is so apparent when the
on a perch is carried over to its form in
flight. It tends to have a thick, lumbering, easygoing
aspect when flying, with a somewhat slower wingbeat
than that of the Great Horned Owl. In flight, the
The
owl
Because of
its
rainstorm.
20
owl
at rest
wings tend
to
look stubby
of
the
Barred
is
Owl
PATTERN OF FLIGHT
is
and methodically.
It rarely,
ever, soars
does
fly
which
mob
swiftly, especially
of pursuing crows.
can maneuver
it
swamp
and
quite high
ing to elude a
in
branches,
smooth and
little
is
is
bright
moonlit
way through
its
short
may
it
miraculous.
of
is
flat
and
made low
When
level trajectory
to the
overhead
pass
320.1
(12.8").
Minimum
Maximum
307.3
Rank
in
Female
mm.
mm.
mm.
330.0
mm.
320.5 mm.
3556 mm.
(12.6")
(12.9")
328.5
(12.1")
'13.0")
(12.&")
(14.0)
Fifth.
TAIL LENGTH
the
Its
Male
its
night
Average
mm.
Male
interlaced
324.3
wings
on motionless wings, although it will occasionally make long direct glides through the woods
while hunting. Such glides usually terminate in a graceful upward curve as the owl alights. It can and often
if
Species average
a very
its
its
Average
216.7
Minimum
Maximum
212.3
Rank
within
mm.
(9.3 ")
Female
mm. (8-5")
mm. (84")
mm. (9-o")
228.6
among
in tail length
mm.
mm.
mm.
253-7
247.4
260.4
(10.0")
9.7")
(10.3")
presence except
and the
BEAK LENGTH
levels of
21
mm.
(0.9").
Male
measured birds:
Average
23.3
Minimum
Maximum
21.
Rank
in
Female
mm.
mm.
mm.
23.9
beak length
(0.9")
23.7
(0.8")
22.1
(0.9")
24.6
among
mm.
mm.
mm.
(0.9")
(0.9")
(1.0")
WEIGHT
LEGS, FEET,
Male
TALONS
Female
Average
395.8
gr.
(13.9 oz.)
506.0
gr.
(17.7 oz.)
Minimum
Maximum
330.0
gr.
(11.6 oz.
388.4
gr.
(13.6 oz.)
sparsely
(20.0 oz.)
651.2 gr.
(22.8 oz.)
Rank
in
569.3 gr.
weight
among
from the
last joint to
The naked
the talon.
is
much deeper
or
a dull yellowish
yellow and
The
the talons
black at the
TOTAL LENGTH
tips.
bars or spots of
Species average: 497.7
mm.
for
(19.6").
Male
Average
484.1
Minimum
Maximum
407.9
Rank
565.2
in total
mm.
mm.
mm.
length
Female
(
19.1")
51
1.3
(16.1")
452.1
(22.3")
613.7
among
1,092.2
mm.
mm.
mm.
1,073.1
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
in
963.9
1,098.6
mm.
mm.
mm.
a buff
this size
as strong as
might be
(17.8")
(24.2")
The seeming
(43.0").
size.
Female
(38.0")
1,003.3
mm
mm
(43.3")
1,1392
mm.
(42.3")
is
(20.2")
too, tends to
Male
Average
an owl of
mm.
expected.
WINGSPAN
Species average:
The
1,111.3
(43-8'
Actually, the
scribed;
it
is
iris
is
and
(39-5'
demarcation between
(44.9'
Fifth.
there
is,
iris
pupil.
little
In contrast, the
To
the viewer
21
them
which gives the owl an appealing expression. The vision of the Northern Barred Owl is extremely keen at
night and quite good by day. Although like most owls it
is bedazzled by a sudden bright light at night, it can see
very well to hunt during the day and often ranges in
the daytime, especially when skies are overcast. So keen
vision
its
is
in
passing overhead
it
it
eye,
is
unaided by
not as good
especially dark,
it is
squint
may
it
prefers not to
fly.
when
can
it
the rodent
is
rustling
well
by sound
and the combination of eyes and ears working together makes this owl a deadly accurate hunter. Though
it may be sound asleep in its roosting tree and its locaalone,
known
tion
hearing
man
is
will
in
so acute that,
find
it
stealth,
practically impossible to
a hu-
approach
To
calls.
attempt to imitate
these
the
first
The
deliberately
ated,
last
two
in
and
given,
on the
is
is
The
The
lead-
ing edges of the flight feathers are very well fluted for
fully silent flight.
The
molt of their feathers during the summer and early autumn. This molt generally begins around mid-July or
August and
November. Flight
early
is
finished by late
ability
is
tone.
downward
next-to-last
call
which
of harshness:
Another
is
Owl
much
Owl (Otus
asio naevius)
but de-
WHOOOO-O-O-O-O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o.
frequently given resembles the distant
call
apparent recognition
of
eight
sounding
like
rises
in
final note,
is
notes,
call
it.
being crisply
and
issued
HOO-HOO-HOO-HOO-HOO-HOO-
MOLT
head and body
low
relatively
it
of
is
series
the
is
tufts.
of
An
ear
in
number
bles,
calls
unheard.
plumage
all
is
Sometimes
this
is
heard
in
conjunction with a low whining note, also relatively uninflected, which might be written as whee-ooo-wheeeee-
ooo-we-oooooo.
calls.
October or early
not noticeably
hampered
CALIFORNIA SPOTTED
by the molting.
Strix occidentalis occidentalis
OWL
5,
197
1.
A.O.U. Num-
ber 369
VOICE
VI
Strix
Barred
occidentalis
(Merriam).
Female.
Owl
Six
miles
March
25,
There
calls.
made
Some
description.
ears,
the
hair-raising
fierce,
human
much like
of
shrieks
mating
alley
Owl
make
at a distance of ioo
yards.
Almost
all
Northern
Owl
Barred
are
appalling
made by
When
thrusts
the
its
Any
call.
it
slightly
downward
then
to expel
Owl
it is
Barred
Owl
many
No
Owl.
ous zoos
it
known
has been
to
live
throat,
form a pattern
dinally
down
coverts
which tend
thunderstorm.
of
but
may
is
SEXUAL DIFFERENCES:
SIZE, COLORATION, VOICE
in the previous section, there
birds.
Fur-
Canyon near
Faixview,
Sierra
County,
New
1970.
nebulosa
Salol,
ber 370
nebulosa
series of rather
Forster.
Female.
7,
Hay Creek
1963.
near
A.O.U. Num-
the
the
The
this
brown becoming
The
longest primary
The
quills.
tail
OWL
Strix
continuing to the
GREAT GRAY
secondaries are
by a
VII
six,
The
ish
a distinct
is
The under-
to be
stripes longitu-
As noted
years.
tail
in the
known
is
life
and decidedly
calling from a.
a great deal
the
eerie in quality
some-
also
is
slightly so.
wing.
make
female
cats.
There are deep chucklings, harsh laughing sounds, maniacal gibberings and gabblings, disconsolate mutterings, howls, and yells. Occasionally there will even be a
decidedly disconcerting humanlike scream of pure agony.
Although the call of the Great Horned Owl (Bubo
virginianus virginianus) is a hooting somewhat similar
to the basic call of the Northern Barred Owl. the latter's
cry is never quite so deep and booming and it always
ends in a descending, prolonged trailing note, which the
Great Horned
ther, the
five
range
ers of the
is
a narrow
23
o<<>
brown
The
impression
over-all
of cool
is
brown rather than the warm buffy brown overall impression of the Great Horned Owl, and the placement of stripes and bars on breast and belly is just
opposite that of the Great Horned Owl.
grayish
were fishing
at night in a
movement.
Equally, the owl evinces
little
mice and
for house
species,
rats.
More
so than
which
is
an incredibly
winging at
seen
it
agile
speed
top
seems the
tail,
all
be
often
will
JUVENILE
Basically similar to adult
and
it
to nest, often
hunt
it
selects in
human
fear of the
little
voice or
On
traps.
from a
occasion
Goshawk away
it
kill
as
own.
its
varia varia
by day.
is
it
does
its
it is
the most
commonly
it
readily
Strix
Owl
hunt
to
seen owl.
Owl (Otus
An accurate
seems to enjoy
A
if
is
rarely struck by a
taken
when young.
apparent, however,
if
the bird
it
tames quite
Aggressiveness becomes
is
well developed
and
it
for
hardwood
forests
trees
it
will
also
well
The
if
that of the
the
nests
its
hawk hunts by
day.
posed in an isolated
tree,
Owl
lock,
humans lounging
well-es-
frequented.
mature
are
are
trail
although
roosting,
border lakes,
using
the habit of drinking
particularly
tablished
Even
Thick
this owl.
favored,
hungry.
tall
flitting
habits,
so, it
swamp
The deeper and darker the
When
woodlands.
or
tangles
stands of dense
in
essentially a forest-lov-
CHARACTERISTICS
Although most often nocturnal
is
tall
it
pine or hem-
the tree
about.
feet
commonly
gentle bird
to
Owl
goad
is
an un-
to anger.
will rarely
of a
a fight
unavoidable.
is
it
in-
is
opponent,
terrible
if
strikes
it
flailing wings,
many
tected by law in
bites,
areas, the
numbers
great
falls in
still
savage
to the
much
match
ply no
fierce
of escape,
est
know
should
Barred
Owl have
this
owl a
it
as
abundant
its
habitat
destroyed in the
name
of progress, fewer
and fewer
Though crows
kill
it,
enemies
natural
strife
for
of
crow
the Northern Barred Owl.
are
concerned,
the
as
less
at roost
within minutes
all
and
calls,
it
Time
to
duck and
flinch in
but to no
avail.
It glares
Eventually
and snaps
it
flies,
its
beak
followed closely by
simply
fend
its
flee in silent
its
kill
prey.
Usually
the
Goshawk
it
will
may
is
de-
badly
though
at last
swiftly
26
it
away
is
forced to rouse
itself sufficiently
to
up
largely to rodents
Two
is
up
size
of
its
feet,
it
prefers
and occa-
to the size of
itself
a quail.
both are
wing
effective.
woods or
The
isolated
in
meadows and
first
trees
merely to perch
flushed, the
is
it
they try to
flee,
and while
though
it
on
it is
it
in
broad daylight
will be attacked,
One was
fleeing
its
is
toll
on
And,
it
in-
Owl
a covey of quail
cessful,
woodland or
movement. As
of
is
Northern Barred
Now
arrows to
frequently
them
it
swamp and
the
in
and eventually
birds.
witnessed as
adult
it
cottontail
rabbit.
Balancing
itself
with
Barred
is
overlooking marshlands or
when one
smaller prey
sional birds
in anger,
take
versatile
the
is,
much
is
frequently
Owl
it
Great Horned
As soon
is
Where
is
respect
this
fine
varia varia
as
it's
in
Horned Owl.
both cases
to their poultry. In
Only
cover.
forest
who
sim-
is
who
in particular,
not very
is
farmers.
Owl
H
^v
owl strove
to drive
its
enough
running,
bling up, and running again the rabbit carried
kill
the
owl on
mammal. For 84
back
its
yards
until at last
falling,
its
Unable
to
devoured
lift
it
the big
it
The
flew ponderously
away
to
one hind
to
scram-
it
apart and
foot,
and then
turtles
and
Though
and
the margins of marshes and meadows, the Northern
Barred Owl also frequently hunts in quite open country as well as in close proximity to farm buildings. Now
and again it comes well into cities seeking prey and is a
not uncommon visitor to town dumps and railroad
yards where mice and rats proliferate.
Like the Great Horned Owl, the Northern Barred
Owl will often catch fish in shallow waters, wading in
knee-deep after them in sluggish streams and ponds,
snatching them with the talons and dragging them
ashore. Usually these fish are of a size which can be
swallowed whole, and they are most often horned pout,
suckers, chubs, and small carp.
it
the prey
is
small enough,
its
talons.
If
it is
tortoises.
safety of
its shell.
have
these
make up a
less often,
Among
Owl will
choose
to.
to
eat
crayfish,
and many
spiders,
dids, grasshoppers,
The bulk
mice and
Northern Barred
the
scorpions,
snails,
large
slugs,
and
crickets.
rats,
is
comprised of
mammals
chipmunks, ground
squirrels,
such as
young
and
squirrels,
Now
mammals
sels.
Its
many
this respect.
of
at the rate
bird
life
than the
some owl
species.
Usually one convulsive belching action sends the mucusslickened pellet shooting several feet out of the widely
opened mouth. This action is often followed by a ruffling of the feathers and a haphazard and brief preening of the plumage.
Excrement is generally of a darkish nature, rather
viscous in texture, and seldom expelled near the nest.
two or three ounces may be expelled in a
powerful evacuation as the owl leans forward on
As much
or
the ground.
cos
is
animals,
invertebrate
than
reptiles other
than not these pellets are not expelled near the nest
site, but rather from the first perch the owl takes after
some owls
salamanders.
size
owl with-
as
this
peril,
in flesh
Where
ducks,
embedded
talons well
chunks of
lost
difficulty,
its
killed.
Box
be done with
will
to kill them.
meal.
is
swift,
its
as
perch and
briefly raises
its
tail.
The
feces
may be
more on a horizontal
killed as prey.
Among
fish,
bullheads, chubs,
water
28
fish
suckers,
Courtship
early spring
carp,
and
bluegills,
callings,
are taken.
Barred
Owl
normally begins
in
late
winter or very
is
less
than satisfactory
The
thirty feet
Failing to find
at best.
will
degenerates
into
what sounds
like
weird,
way
is
infrequent but
al-
is
on
display, the
his branch,
open
male
will often
crouch low
and lean
wings,
so
far
his
do
forward that
it
half
is
preferred.
nest of a
hawk
its
own
When
the
latter
the
used,
is
selection of the
in to share
of laying
Red-shouldered
It
find
will
it
own
its
The owl broods the eggs by day and the hawk by night.
The outcome of such an arrangement is not definitely
known, although
it
is
his
inexpertly constructed
fly off
together follow-
fall
quite often
eggs
the
is
used.
first
The
may be
nest
tree, or as
may be
de-
ing,
same
often
is
high as 60 feet in
to
species.
will
fall
their death
in
that
Nesting
it is
varia
abandoned
the
either.
but
chips or
hole about
of a full-grown rooster.
During the
quickly
wood
is
inclined
to
its
use
nest-
the
ANNUAL BROODS,
EGGS
NEST,
NESTING HABITS
There
set of
is
eggs
second
set
is
is
laid in
On
As long
first
the
if
if
rare oc-
is
if
is
No
is
are
by no means un-
unmarked
suc-
suitable.
In
laid,
and very
only one.
Shape
rarely there
rare
Pure,
On
Two
Color
cessful,
tree
common.
nesting
although three
is
the second
Number per
mon number,
white.
to
very
nearly
round.
the Barn
at all glossy.
Northern Earred
Owl
2g
Average egg
Size
of 86 eggs,
1.7")
50.0
is
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
mm.
long by 41.9
wide (2.o"X
length:
55.5
42.5
width:
45.0
width:
37.1
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
(2.2")
first
(1.8")
(1.5")
Eggs seldom,
Midwest:
ever,
if
follow
February
earliest,
latest,
March 6 and
25;
April
and
They are very weak
March
earliest,
Southern:
March
latest,
February 17;
earliest,
at
latest,
March
June 4, nor-
sealed. It
is
at
lives.
this
become
show a marked
still
week that
as this oc-
is
tivity
first
As soon
partially opened.
25.
tear the
the eyes
29.
first
is
and March
18; nor-
21.
mally between
May
13; latest,
and April
first
down
silky
bits for
By the end
Northern:
as fourteen to eight-
3-
(1.7")
one another by an interval shorter than 48 hours; sometimes as much as a week separating them.
dates
LIFE
CHARACTERISTICS
as follows:
length:
Interval of egg-laying
Egg-laying
size,
mm.
the nest,
to
with oc-
the
if
is
first
some reason
is
to
relatively well-developed
eggs removed
on the
however,
nest,
maximum
days to a
is
Incubation
minimum
stated to be a
in
of 21
most normal
all
the incubation
is
male
when
will
when
varia
Strix
related Spotted
among
are
subspecies,
Owl
birds
will
pay very
little
off.
attention
to
at the nest as
if
Now
in
will
nest
and are
to exposure.
body.
The new
sooty-brown banded
tips,
flanks
is
at
the rectrices
By
tail
feathers
week
to satisfy the
third
demands of their
week the babies
off-
now and
ca-
of themselves
full
is
It
is
are
in-
first
it
happens.
If so,
stage,
some-
down-
fall
at
this
30
succumb
fall, finally
characteristics.
Hawk
are
intruding
through
fall
the person
an
birds
surviving the
hatched,
or brooding position.
and baby
structure
killed
Barred
Owl
It
is
at this time
that the
first
and
and
down
the center.
upper breast
the
true "bars"
is
least,
first
and, for
itself
a family of
rats.
Plumage
the soft
and
of body, wings,
and thighs
is
tail
still
Although the
gressively longer
size.
Their coloration at
the parents
red
brown
except
this stage
that
they
in general tone
are
much
is
like that of
somewhat more
of the adults,
More
District of
tine
and
north
McMurray),
central
yot,
central
Saskatchewan,
south-central
Manitoba
Alberta,
(Fort
(Chemawawin),
Yukon and
Moose Factory),
Anticosti Island),
Nova
Edward
Island,
Dakota, eastern
Wyoming
MIGRATION
No
have a
northern Arkansas
distinct migration,
slight
ment during
autumn.
Normally,
this
owl
is
3'
WINGSPAN
its
winter months.
About
five
than Strix
inches greater
varia
varia.
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
The Northern Barred Owl
(Strix
varia
varia)
so often
is
actual
species
results.
Certainly
Owl
in
this
loss of
virtually negligible.
is
is
On
maximum
the
in
figure
of the
where poultry
upon rodents
extensive preying
age,
especially mice,
TALONS
LEGS, FEET,
its
rats,
{COLOR PLATE
III)
VOICE
The
SCIENTIFIC
NAME AND
very
is
much
like
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
ment
voice
varia georgica
upward
and
of
100 of
forth to one
one bird
quiet,
Another
call.
usually
often
calls.
a female
After a period of
would
utter a loud
would
same note but
a male
in the
deeper
Then another
tions.
OTHER NAMES
called previously,
with
the
would
of
issue
call
sounding
like
WHOOO-
WAAAaahhh aah-aah-WHOOO-WAAAaaahhhh.
stantly
upon conclusion
from the
adult
call
UH-UH-UH-WHOOO-WAAA-
aaahhhh, or a different
Upper
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
sound
bird,
Owl
others
In-
would
(Strix varia).
vicinity of Fort
Drum,
Florida.
Upper
right, roost-
It
in
most
tends to be a
regularly perching
northern race.
32
Illinois.
varia varia
left,
after
Barred
Owl
right,
the
to take flight.
(W*<*
J^yeni
f} >^
le
breast
is
more
and deep
than
more
contrast between
Northern Barred Owl.
light
in
the
palm and
live
hammocks
more northerly
parts of
of cabbage
tangled
in
its
range
wooded
it
swamplands. In
shows a marked
Roosting
normally closer to the ground than with Strix varia
river valleys.
is
in leaf,
when bare
trees are
of foliage.
FOOD
OWL
FLORIDA BARRED
Strix varia georgica
Much
Latham
like
rats,
occasional
join in,
sively,
first
suc-
cession of notes
although
the latest
nesting
is
during the
sites
first
week
of
The
nest
varia,
hawk
with
marked broadly
34
the
in
terminal
edges
of
the
feathers
The upper
Barred
hardwoods.
to 25 feet, but
The
and
or crow
doned
Similar to the Northern Barred Owl, but darker.
is
hearted
nests.
effort,
is
sometimes up
to
is
65 feet high
from
15
in
aban-
half-
nest of
Owl
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
EGGS
Egg
size
Owl than
in the
smaller
Slightly
(Strix
varia
varia)
than
Northern
the
Barred
Owl
pallidly
Owl
Owl
measurements included
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Egg-laying
March
dates
length
55.6
length
45.8
width
46.6
width
40.4
Earliest,
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
(2.2")
(1.8")
(1.8")
LEGS, FEET,
(1.6")
December
23;
TALONS
latest,
The
bristles
down
14.
toe.
Rock
) ,
(Hot Springs,
Little
.1
even- suitable
hammock
seems to harbor at
least
is
much
paler in
its
coloration
much more
race,
one
pair of them.
and lowland
to
forests.
IV)
EGGS
In color, texture, and shape the eggs are similar to
those of both Strix varia varia and Strix varia georgica,
SCIENTIFIC
NAME AND
43 eggs determined
the average
measurement of
length
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Strix
varia
helveola
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
length:
53.6
length:
45.0
width:
46.5
width:
39.1
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
of 49.2
mm.
(1.7").
The
(2.1")
(1.8")
(1.8")
(1.5")
Florida
Egg-laying dates
1 1
Earliest,
January
latest.
March
7.
35
in
is
it
and
Nueces and Brazoria counties, and
probably northwestward as far as Tom Green county,
Lee counties
to
wardly portion of
its
range.
this
There
is
its
range
in
above-described range.
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
The Texas Barred Owl
is
considered
generally
to
Owl
less
subspecies,
protected
primarily
because
of
abundant and
very limited
its
upon poultry
to
some
extent, the
it
provides that
struction
36
Barred
Owl
it
it
will prey
does to the
is more than offset by the savsame poultry raiser through deof rodents which make extensive inroads into
damage
wood owl
Because of
its
preferred habitat.
the
of
SPECIES
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
ORDER
STRIGIFORMES
FAMILY:
This
Owl and
Spotted
STRIGIDAE
the
and
two subspecies,
other
Owls (Strix
and South, to which they are
closely related and which they resemble to some degree
in general configuration, size, and habits.
are the western representatives of the Barred
of the East
varia sp.)
GENUS:
Strix Linnaeus
SPECIES:
occidentalis (Xantus
The
California Spotted
Owl
is
Its
and a gen-
most distinguish-
ing characteristic
SUBSPECIES
of white
species
is
just
slightly
smaller than
the
Owl
Barred
species.
Rank
CALIFORNIA
SPOTTED OWL
occidentalis (Xantus)
in
size
among
the
eighteen
species:
Fifth.
NORTHERN
caurina (Merriam)
SPOTTED OWL
SHAPE AT REST
MEXICAN
lucid a (Nelson)
When
SPOTTED OWL
{COLOR PLATE
perched
is
flight.
V)
NAME AND
SCIENTIFIC
it
OWL
CALIFORNIA SPOTTED
SHAPE IN FLIGHT
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
over-all
Owl
in
much
appearance when
like
flying.
of
Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Volume ii, signatures 15-19, August-September. 1859
the
193, based
on a specimen
FLIGHT PATTERN
Owl,
make long
Spotted Owl
OTHER NAMES
its
The
California
buoyant
in
its
distinctive call.
perch.
its
rela1
size.
it
There
is
is
flat
flies
sur-
no
flight.
California Spotted
Owl
37
WEIGHT
Species average: 446.9
Much
Male
Female
Average
391.0
gr.
(13.7 oz.)
501.7 gr.
(17.6 oz.)
312. 1
gr.
(10.9 oz.)
383.6
gr.
(134
gr.
(18.0 oz.)
591
gr.
(20.7 oz.)
in
5135
weight
among
like
Owl
species of
oz.)
of
its
on
this continent.
The
but the
The
where
scales,
TOTAL LENGTH
mm.
461.6
Minimum
Maximum
389.3
Rank
in total
soles
The
482.6
(15.3")
456.5
mm.
mm.
(21.8")
606.3
mm
(18.0")
2 3-9")
As
mm.
(42.5").
Male
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
mm
in
mm.
mm.
942.0
1,092.8
Female
(4 ! -9")
1,092.2
(37.1")
993-4
(43.1")
1,130.5
mm.
mmmm.
(43")
(39-i")
(44.5")
mm.
324.1
Minimum
Maximum
322.8
Rank
in
mm.
mm.
mm.
326.4
of the Strix
occidentalis
may
at times
seem almost
to
size
tnat they
be absent.
(12.9").
Male
Average
make
disks
around
species
WINGSPAN
1,063.9
clearly colored.
(19.0")
Average
more
scales are
(18.6").
(18.2")
among
length
The
Female
mm.
mm.
mm.
552.5
Female
(12.8")
331.5
(12.7")
325.1
(12.9")
355-5
mm.
mm.
mm.
(13. 1")
(12.8")
(14.0")
in
both
mm.
Minimum
Maximum
210.
Rank
mm.
mm.
mm.
220.0
in tail
length
(9.1").
Male
21 5.1
in locating prey
247.0
(8.3")
232.2
mm.
mm.
(8.7")
254.5
mm
Owls
high and
the Barred
50 feet
Female
(8.5")
among
Owl
size
to
the
through a
tri-
TAIL LENGTH
Average
toe
visible, are
Male
Average
the
Owl
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
TALONS
LEGS, FEET,
9.7")
9.2")
mouse running
Strix varia^
at
Owl
least
will
sound made by
fifty
unerra
pine
(10.0")
BEAK LENGTH
Species average: 22.1
mm.
(0.9").
Male
Average
21.5
Minimum
Maximum
20.3
Rank
38
in
22.0
mm.
mm.
mm.
beak length
IX
Number 372
Female
(0.9")
22.6
(0.8")
21.2
(0.9")
23.5
among
mm.
mm.
mm.
(0.9")
QUEEN CHARLOTTE
OWI.
(0.8")
(0.9")
set,
Spotted
Queen Charlotte
Owl
Island, British
Number
372-.
xsuXCaAc^
%yA*&A+4fo
A
is
MOLT
headed, with no vestige of ear
is
Its
plumage
molting
nual
bird,
is
August,
replacing
their
all
feathers by late
feathers
flight.
early
in
so staggered
however,
no
that
hampered during
flight
facility
appears
to
only,
whooo-whooo-WHOO-WHOO.
be
this process.
like call
fluffy,
fifth
is
dense and
The
round-
decidedly
tufts.
call,
occidentalis
occidentalis
Strix
fourth
Finally, both
two variants which has much of the quality of the calling of the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus virginianus), though not as resonantly given. At times it will
sound something like: hoo-ah HOO-ah. At other times
strange
ing whines.
VOICE
all
two.
What
may have
significance this
is
calls of the
two and
as fright-
sound
of:
HOO-HOO
HOOOO.
is
may be
call
SEXUAL DIFFERENCES:
SIZE, COLORATION, VOICE
As noted, there is a slight difference in tonal quality
between the voices of male and female birds. The female is slightly larger as a rule, though this size differ-
vaguely deeper
ential
in
is
many
is
no sexual difference
upward
the scale
in
oh-ooh-oou-
ooOOWWW!
The
utters a sort of
warning whistle
to
It
nest.
soft whistling a
pursing his
lips
and whistling with indrawn air rather than with exhaled air. The whole call has a steadily rising inflection
and lasts for about four seconds, sounding similar to:
wheee-e-e-e-E-E-E.
RICHARDSON
12, 1970.
and longevity
other two
Mud
Owl
California
Spotted
but
not unreasonable
it
development
is
to
consider
or the
that
in
they
One
mile
Maine,
LONG-EARED OWL
366
of the
subspecies,
view of parallel
Brown Countv,
OWL
January
studies
that long.
XI
Few
Illinois,
October
23,
1899.
A.O.U. Number
Owl
finely
California Spotted
Owl
39
and gradually enlarging as the pattern continues downward. The ground color is a rich, warm cinnamon
brown, each feather having a narrow central line of
the brown separating the pure white into two spots on
opposing webs of the same feather. Often, but not
always, there is a horizontally elongated white patch on
the throat which is about twice as long as it is wide.
Almost always, but with occasional exceptions (especially among female birds), there is a narrow but fluffy
stripe of pure-white feathering running from mid-breast
to belly and widening toward the bottom. The tail is
basically
series of thinner
and terminating in a thin white marginDark buff spots on the primaries alternate regularly
with similar-width spots of deep brown. Eyebrows and
lores are white near the top and shade into buff near
white
lines
the bottom,
beak
enclosing the
back-to-back-crescent
in
formation.
evident
clearly
Facial
are
disks
warm cinnamon
semicircles of
The
facial
line
rim
and then
Occasionally
simultaneously.
blinks both
perch
will
it
open
long
for
moments with one eye shut and the other widely open.
More than any other North American owl species,
it
shakes
tip
and then
its
to
beak, contorting
its
usual positions as
it
the most
into
itself
un-
asleep in
falls
it
to
Because of
job.
to take flight,
ity
uncommon
its
it
is
Unfortunately,
one
it
is
a rela-
in the wild at
any
and gen-
placid-
an interesting owl
a reputa-
it
largely undeserved.
is
a very
is
head from
of the
The
habitat
Owl
Spotted
that
prefers
it
causes
California
the
inclined
is
cliffsides,
JUVENILE
Very
similar in
first-winter
and,
but
adults,
to
much
not as
and breast
trifle
concentric rings.
fir
in
much
pastures.
plumage
very dense
less
regularly, in wide,
Occasionally
it
will
flat,
parklike forest
well
CHARACTERISTICS
Although the California Spotted Owl can see and
well during the day,
it
is
more
seldom
fly in
so,
fly
and
been known
to
truder destroy
move on
nest,
eggs,
in-
When
marked
startled,
alteration
its
facial
to a
ing
and somewhat
alarmed
its
quizzical
expression
more
friendly than
seem
to
has
look.
the
ferocious,
human
first
for
to a soften-
Even when
it
and some
the
of
is
its
habits
no clear
peculiar parrotlike
is
appearance of being
viewer
Spotted
is
left
own
right,
Owl
shown on
Amazing
of middle bird.
its
head on
human
270
drive
to
intruder.
the
off
On
occasion
off
been
has
it
human hands
clutch
its
natural camouflage in
to be a
which makes
its
virtually invisible
it
plumage,
speckled
when
roosting in a
of observation. It
gins
when the
Where
still
to
observer
very close.
is
fall
Pacific
it
believed
is
known about
positively
is
the court-
known
this regard,
however.
Horned Owl
(Bubo virginianus pacificus) Otherwise, its only natuenemies seem to be the hordes of smaller birds
which delight in harassing it, though rarely if ever with
actual injury to the owl. These smaller bird antagonists
.
ral
ANNUAL BROODS,
NEST,
California
jays,
jays,
NESTING HABITS
and a
creepers,
Sierra
variety of warblers.
Strix occidentalis occidentalis
It
doubtful that
is
the
first
is
always singlebrooded.
it
is
it
if
will
its
preference
is
to
some manner
until
intently
listening
launches
it
itself
normally takes
carrying
ally,
it
is
back
to nest or
perch in
comes
prey
with thunderbolt
The prey
beak. Occasionkilled,
manner
the
feet.
to
nest in a natural tree hollow or sheltered in highly inaccessible cliff crannies, usually with a sheer
drop of
100 to 400 feet directly beneath the nesting cranny. Occasionally, almost as
if
as a
it
hollow
log lying
is
the feet are used for carrying. Sometimes the owl will
in
6,000
so,
it
has no difficulty
much
does do
feet in height, in
perch quietly
of
it
be from 30 to 50
in a tree
when
but
nest,
No
effort
is
made
to build a nest
is
laid
directly
the rule.
chosen
site.
in
pellets
various
stages
is
offal
and garbage.
If
it
to
is
all,
condition of
There
will
it
trates
be
Owl
mainly on
rats,
brush
Though
rats
Owl
and
four.
Color
Round-ovate
also
not noted as
per nesting
Shape
Number
rats,
occasionally
Spotted
Based on a
Size
average
mm.
42
EGGS
concen-
wood
rats,
seen
is
and
prey
is
decomposition,
will
as
its
of
Owl
size
total
of
23
1.6") in
eggs
measured,
the
and 41.3
width. The extreme measurements were:
in length
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Interval
length:
54.0
length:
42.3
width:
43.2
width:
33.5
(2.1")
(1.7")
(1.7")
(1.3")
Not incontrovertibly
egg-laying
of
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
estab-
Owls.
Egg-laying dates
Earliest,
March
latest,
May
17.
first
is
prob-
be determined,
bird, while the
ally she will leave the nest for brief periods, possibly to
is
sit
will
no evidence
to
show that
is
then,
close by.
on her eggs
allow herself to
be
lifted
without
eggs
the
off
protest
disinterest or
CALIFORNIA SPOTTED
OWL
LIFE
CHARACTERISTICS
On
Little solid
life
move them
if
to
young
inclusive
evidence
the
cliff face.
perhaps
may
MIGRATION
None.
a pro-
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
being so
in California
and make no
to
Nevada
a safer location
that
Undoubtedly of some
but to what extent
is
not known.
At about twelve or
fifteen
parts
Northern Spotted
VI)
43
TAIL LENGTH
Slightly shorter than
mm.
(8.1").
this bird
may
be decoyed into
VOICE
Very much
like
eerie
gradually
is
if
properly identi-
else.
SCIENTIFIC
SEXUAL DIFFERENCES:
SIZE, COLORATION, VOICE
(Merriam)
NAME AND
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
There
tween the
is
very
sexes,
little,
if
similarly.
Strix
Auk, Volume
15,
Number
1,
Mount Vernon
in the Skagit
Valley of Washington.
OTHER NAMES
le
dian
chat-huant tachete du nord French-Cananame meaning "The Speckled Hooting Cat of the
North."
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
and markings are smaller than those of the Caliis especially apparent on
both the head and back, where the white spotting is
reduced to a minimum and in some cases practically
absent. The dark markings on the sides, flanks, and feet
spots
more
are
extensive
Owl
but considerably
44
Spotted
in the
obvious difference
Strix
occidentalis
occidentalis lucida)
The most
Owl
in-
slightly
outermost
tips.
The
On
OTHER NAMES
some
is
Arizona spotted
owl
tion.
HABITAT
Confined to the
dense
timberlands
of
the
humid
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
Owl
Primarily mice,
rats,
Owl
Spotted
FOOD
California Spotted
either the
(Strix
occidentalis
chipmunks,
squirrels,
and
rabbits.
or the Northern
latter.
The beak
is
is
it
this
is
also
thicker beak,
unknown.
EGGS
Two
as they
have been
TOTAL LENGTH
in the Cali-
Average length
is
slightly
Spotted
Owl
the male
less
mm.
(16.8")
for
the female.
BEAK LENGTH
Slightly greater
Owl
Spotted
23.0
mm.
(0.9").
VOICE
VII)
is
NAME AND
16,
Number
40,
November 30,
Mount
Washington, Volume
1903, page
Tancitero,
One
whoo-whoo-WHOOO
last note,
with
them.
on a specimen from
Mexico.
own.
calls of its
a simple, medium-pitched
On
tion:
call
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Strix occidentalis lucida
common
SCIENTIFIC
152, based
Michoacan,
made
conversational
livered
in
call
is
w heck45
HABITAT
Forested mountain tablelands and canyons between
the
elevations
of
especially those
Deep,
maples.
fringe
narrow,
well-wooded
canyons
ENEMIES
is
lescens)
and
strives to
it
FOOD
Consumes considerably more
tebrate
life
insect
and other
inver-
Owl seems
on large
moths.
NEST
The
recognizably higher in
is
On
own
its
at
fir,
However,
feet.
it
on a
ledge near the entrance to a rather spacious but relatively inaccessible cave.
Spotted Owl.
is
less
EGGS
(though on
darker
buffy-yellow-
The
In
almost
all
cases
has
it
a vaguely
its
Spotted
or
the
(2.0") in length
Northern race.
more often
occidentalis
very small
white spottings,
occidentalis,
are
like
much
those of Strix
larger
than
are slightly
Owl
laid
number
laid,
in width.
Owl
mm.
Two
or
will
be
laid.
the
the
California
Spotted
Owl
the
Northern Spotted
Owl
could be called
Mexican Spotted Owl could be called an ashy chestnutbrown owl with large white spots.
46
Spotted
Owl
New
(Navajo Moun-
tain),
central
Colorado
(Park
County,
MIGRATION
Colorado
(Pinos Altos,
it
Chihuahua
Vasagota), Michoacan, Guanajuato, and
Sonora
(Sierra
Potosi).
de
Oposura),
No
into
number
winter
is
to
of the
lower altitudes
severe.
This
is
not,
however, an
annual occurrence.
47
of
awkward movements on
its
the ground.
spectral
it is
SPECIES
owl
phantom
or other object of
ORDER
STRIGIFORMES
FAMILY:
STRIGIDAE
<
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
An
roundheaded
and having distinct concentric circles around the eyes. With its uncommonly dense and fluffy plumage and long, broad
unusually large-appearing,
GENUS:
Strix Linnaeus
SPECIES:
nebulosa Forster
is
tuftless,
facial disks
with gray.
deep
SUBSPECIES
The huge
facial
beak, which
plumage,
Horned Owl
is
seems not as
(Bubo
almost
virginianus
virginianus)
Great
nor
as
sp.)
or
this
is
yel-
nebulosa Forster
the
lost in
but becoming
greenish,
The
tip.
is
VIII)
is
much
not
bird's
an
and the
largely
tail,
ern Barred
Owl
bit smaller
the
Owl
eighteen
or the
species:
Third.
NAME AND
SCIENTIFIC
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
SHAPE AT REST
Strix
nebulosa
tion, Strix
actions,
nebulosa
nebulosa
Volume
J.
Forster.
Original
descrip-
of northwestern
cinera,
Syrnium
Owl
When
walking
it
moves
medium
slowly, rather
piercing
awkwardly,
of character, though
it
is
ap-
it
OTHER NAMES
fit
cinereous
owl
Because of
is
usu-
its
ation.
great cinereous
owl
After
size
SHAPE IN FLIGHT
tion.
Because of
it flies
size,
coloration,
and
The wingbeats
of the Great
America."
la
nuhl-tuhl
48
flight, as
Great Gray
Owl
illusion of necklessness
the head
is
is
continued in
imparting a silhouette in
biness,
considerable
of
flight
and when
perched.
pears to be a
much
stub-
The
tail,
is
it
actually
mm.
(153")-
Male
ap-
is.
Average
379.3
Minimum
Maximum
358.2
Rank
in
386.8
mm.
mm.
mm.
Female
(14.9")
397.0
(14.1")
381.
(15.2")
426.2
mm.
mm.
mm.
(15.6")
(15.0")
(16.8")
FLIGHT PATTERN
This owl does not have the buoyancy and lightness
flight that
is
more than 20
across
it
in
TAIL LENGTH
flies
feet high,
its
rarely
less
than
10
seldom
before
short,
except
during migration
mm.
(12.4").
Male
Average
299.2
Minimum
Maximum
287.0
Rank
335-7
Female
mm.
mm.
mm.
in tail length
(11.9")
323.9
(11.3")
305.2
(13.2")
344.8
among
(12.0")
(13.6")
BEAK LENGTH
mm.
(1.5").
Male
a perch.
13
(12.8")
great distances
flies
mm.
mm.
mm.
measured
birds:
Average
32.1
Minimum
Maximum
28.0
Rank
in
42.5
mm.
mm.
mm.
beak length
Female
(1.3")
43.2
(1.1")
35.6
(1.7")
47.0
among
mm.
mm.
mm.
(1.7")
(1.4")
(1.9")
WEIGHT
Male
Average
1,288.8 gr.
(45.1
oz.)
1,390.9 gr.
(48.7 oz.)
Minimum
Maximum
1,056.8 gr.
(37.0 oz.)
1,077.5 gr.
(37.7 oz.)
1,384.6 gr.
(48.5
oz.)
1,523.9 gr.
(53.3
Rank
in
weight
among
LEGS, FEET,
oz.)
The
legs
and
692.2
mm.
(27.3")
717.6
Minimum
Maximum
617.3
mm
2 4-3")
670.2
755.7
mm.
(29.8")
845.3
in total
length
tips.
The
feet of the
Female
Average
Rank
is
(27.8").
Male
-
heavily-
The
TOTAL LENGTH
mm.
and rather
TALONS
Female
among
mm.
mm.
mm.
(28.3")
(26.4")
/ EYES AND
(33.3")
VISION
The
iris
is
WINGSPAN
Species average: 1,409.7
mm.
(55.5")
Male
Average
1,397.0
Minimum
Maximum
1,303.8
Rank
in
1,447.3
mm.
mm.
mm.
Female
(55.0")
1,422.4
(51.4")
1,412.3
(57.0")
1,524.8
mm.
mm.
mm.
(56.0")
(55.6")
(60.1")
Great Gray
Owl
49
V VOICE
by hearing, instead
American owl
many
other North
species.
is
peated at
of
Often
seconds.
to
the
to
it
as
Gray Owl
Quite
bird.
15
many
as
WHOOOO-
and is not
Horned Owl.
about
call
uttered
is
far-
of the Great
is
be sounded as
will
this
It
usually re-
Owl
call
intervals
is
this
at
OOO-OOO-OOO
is
three times
least
the
is
is
not to
poor or
but
contrary;
OOOO-EEE-
HHHH.
Finally, there
is
tremulous
decidedly
Eastern Screech
nature
Owl (Otus
not
unlike
asio naevius)
that
of
the
in structure,
upon
Owl depends
Great Gray
y SEXUAL DIFFERENCES:
in hunting
will as
an aid
to
SIZE,
sound locating.
The female
COLORATION, VOICE
bird
is
distinctly larger
pound and
MOLT
ear
tufts,
plumage
in Strix
nebulosa nebulosa
is
as
plunge
to
blanket
against
more than
50
temperatures
F.
studies
the Great
nesting
fluffiness of
much
mortality
as three
which
often
is
many
other owl
upward
of forty years.
50
Great Gray
Owl
to
rings
be rather
The
cast.
is
a mottled gray
More
specifically,
and
gray,
this
brown
is
of each feather
The
stripes
the back.
takenly
interpreted
Never
losa
range,
and the primary coverts have relatively indistinct bands of pale ash brown.
Nine bands of grayish brown mark the outer webs of
the secondaries, with the final band continuing to the
tip and the innermost three being concealed by the
The
greater coverts.
being
less distinct
flesh.
make
Rather
brown and
a pattern of irregular
feathers.
The remainder
of
the
tail
is
generally
The
becomes
it
nebu-
species, Strix
late
period.
far
mis-
the
a relative solitude,
prefers
its
is
at
autumn migrational
of
fearlessness
Horned Owl.
the Great
the bird.
The
is
whose
have
Owl
Great Gray
center
is
CHARACTERISTICS
Owl
Dense
virginianus sub-
forests
fir
meadows near
meadows farther
mouths and
costal river
more
in
lush
inland, especially
ing against
it
as
it
lean-
sleeps.
lores
grayish white
five concentric,
narrow, semicircular
may sometimes
nebulosa
enough
nebulosa
snap
to
anger
spread
its
wings threateningly,
Strix
arouse
to
it
is
sometimes
will
its
beak
irritably,
to
daylight hours.
little
adults.
differ-
Downy
down
with the
5*
feathers
its
greatest threat,
At such
have it
ent in coloration
times,
mounted
tribes
still
as
a trophy.
kill
shoot
Some
of
the
the
bird
to
northern
more
as
Indian
an emer-
source.
Great Gray
Owl
women
as a food
Surprisingly, in view of
Owl
is
its
Gray
birds, shrikes,
when
it
spies
a prowling
it
rabbits,
and
birds up
and ptarmigan. Not infrequently
to
it
feeds
roost.
readily taken.
is
Although
low perch
to another. It will
sit
low
when
Prey
detected,
killed
is
it
there
Now
this.
male
beyond
rat.
ceremony
Little vocal
more apt
to
occur
on the ground than on a perch. Though male and female remain together throughout the nesting season
and perhaps remain mated for years, there is little
demonstration of affection between them other than
that which immediately precedes copulation.
talons
courtship demonstration
actual
little
is
Larger prey
is
is
killed
and
nest,
transported in the
is
ANNUAL BROODS,
normally car-
eaten
there
but,
NEST,
NESTING HABITS
if
feet.
though there
will
occur
if
is
y FOOD, FEEDING
HABITS,
WASTES
second
the
if
lost.
is
up
and occasionally even
All prey
rel,
without
larger,
swallowed whole
difficulty.
apart
size
is
of a red squir-
with no attempt to
first
into
doned nest of
winged Hawk. Some attempt is made
nest, but this effort is haphazard at
and are
relatively large,
Fecal material
is
less vis-
coloration
and
black.
Though
bird
is
perched.
ever, occurs
during
the
rarely,
if
will use.
well
as
be in either a hardwood or
50
100 feet
to
However, sometimes
in
nests will
be
uous
trees
Once
will
and
as close to the
established
stick
in
its
ground
nest,
determinedly with
any intruder
to
make
it
it,
leave.
as
the
2 or 15 feet.
Great Gray
despite
Owl
the efforts of
flight.
as prey
may
the nest
Feces
as
dense spruce or
cous than in
be added,
will
lets.
Some new
fur.
this
may
twigs
to refurbish the
best.
little
effect
of
other
If,
as occurs
Great Gray
Owl
it
on rare occasions,
will
usually
fly
to
it
does decide to
an adjacent
tree,
53
remain there
briefly
as
moves about on
it
perch
its
day or
nestling
is
two weeks
down
old, the
EGGS
X
Number
From two
Color
spoiled
white
Dull
ready
with
often
peculiarly
sooty-gray
bands,
thighs
and
bands.
the species
(1.7")
is
in
similarly
is
banded with
Adult plumage
scapulars,
grayish
is
length:
58.8
length:
48.3
width:
49.0
width:
Interval of egg-laying
41.9
No
fully developed,
Earliest,
white
olive
with
pale
sooty-olive
Facial
coverts.
disks
enor-
its
of the
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
(2.3")
(1.9")
(1.9")
of
(1.7")
less
in-
The under-
and wing
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
exhibit
which are
nest
es-
age egg
the
tail
spoiled.
leave
to
fully
is
and
look
almost
Fledglings
nearly
per nesting
so
to a
March
May
week
apart.
loss,
from 28
first
is
The
not known.
egg
in-
and continues
laid
(near Roseau),
District of Ontario.
Although
it
LIFE
nestling
life
has
not yet
in
regard
54
it
summer
north-
Nipissing
in
Gaspe
does
its
breeding range,
SHORT-EARED OWL
of
in
the
CHARACTERISTICS
observation
found
XIV
Extensive
is
in
County, Quebec.
to
It
and
Illinois,
November
10,
1969.
Northlake,
Cook County,
373-M
Great Gray
Owl
Illinois,
February
6,
1948.
A.O.U. Number
(at
lower elevations
to Butte
ern
New York
Michigan,
cine),
(Painted
Post,
Fulton
(Omaha),
Iowa
Anthony), Nebraska
(St.
(Hillsboro),
northernmost
Illinois
MIGRATION
The migrations
tially
of the Great
essen-
mammal
scarcely
life
in
the
North.
In
is
at all; in others, a
South.
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
GREAT GRAY OWL
nomic
southward
migration
becomes
more
extensive.
when
Yet,
beneficial
times
XVI
Otus
asio
aikeni
AIKEN
(Brewster).
all
SCREECH OWL
Male.
3,
1933.
A.O.U.
Number 373-G
Great Gray
Owl
55
la chouette
dian
granges de l'est
df.s
la petite nyctale
"The
Little
Night Owl."
cabezon
tecolotito
SPECIES
French-Cana-
of the East."
gmelin
de
Mexican-Indian
ORDER
STRIGIFORMES
FAMILY:
STRIGIDAE
GENUS:
Aegolius
SPECIES:
acadicus (Gmelin)
its
well
upon sparrows.
oration of breast
Kaup
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
the
is
smallest
the eastern
of
(Otus
in that
asio sp.)
it
is
SUBSPECIES
Owl
Its face is
mak-
imparting an
acadicus (Gmelin)
brooksi (Fleming)
SAW-WHET OWL
appealing,
when perched,
this little
owl
QUEEN CHARLOTTE
OWL
owl prefers.
taken within
Richardson's,
is
IX)
its
is
beak
but
it
is
is
Owl's crown
One
the
Volume
Part
Owl
of
i,
i,
Latham (Gen.
names: Nyctale
talis,
Strix
Syn., Vol.
from Nova
ica Septentrionali,
1,
p.
149)
Former
Scotia.
in
Amer-
scientific
passerina,
Cryptoglaux
acadica
disk
Further,
which
the
is
so
Saw-whet
of the
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Strix
is
facial
it
prom-
(Aegolius
inent
NAME AND
Owl
Richardson's
of
SCIENTIFIC
funereus richardsoni)
SAW-WHET OWL
{COLOR PLATE
its
exception
possible
scription:
is
acadica,
Strix acadica.
Rank
over-all
in
size
among
the
eighteen
species:
Thirteenth.
OTHER NAMES
acadian
owl
SHAPE AT REST
acadian
in part,
saw-whet owl
and
kirtland's
56
owl
one of
Honorary name.
its calls.
Although
reversible
Saw-whet Owl
toe
and
is
it
has a
forward and one behind, as well as with two forward and two behind, it nevertheless invariably perches
with two toes forward. When perched it appears to be
TOTAL LENGTH
toes
much
smaller than
when
the oversized
length.
this
Its
on
motionlessly
time sitting
still;
is
on
the bird
its
want
194.3
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
The
held
tail is
especially
it,
Average
494.0
when observed
and
is
mm.
(8.6")
(19.9").
Minimum
Maximum
458.5
516.9
Female
(19.5")
515.6
(18.1")
478.8
(20.4")
562.6
mm.
mm.
mm.
(20.3")
(18.9")
(22.2")
in
at
so short
Average
133.2
Minimum
Maximum
127.0
acadicus
slightly
emerging from
woodcock when
for a
its
it
more
rises
140.3
(5.0")
131. 6
(5.5")
144.9
mm.
mm.
mm.
(5.5")
(5.2")
(5.7")
Fif-
TAIL LENGTH
an
flushes.
Owl
to
sharply to take
it
When
wings rapidly
floor,
(5.3")
in
the
of
139.2
Female
mm.
mm.
mm.
is
(5.4").
teenth.
of Aegolius acadicus
often mistaken
mm.
Male
mm.
(2.8").
Male
Average
70.3
Minimum
Maximum
66.9
Rank
originally
72.4
mm.
mm.
mm.
in tail length
Female
(2.8")
73.3
(2.6")
69.9
(2.9")
among
74.0
mm.
mm.
mm.
(2.9")
(2.8")
(2.9")
teenth.
dropped.
On
217.2
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
to be absent.
flight pattern
it
(8.0")
teenth.
FLIGHT PATTERN
where
(7- 2 ")
among
Rank
its
mm
about con-
downward when
rarely spread
tail is
flight of a
(7.8")
183.5
WINGSPAN
The
mm.
(7.1")
flight,
it
198.6
Male
203.2
perched.
is
the
(7.7")
difficult
SHAPE IN FLIGHT
In
79.
in total length
Rank
for
Female
mm.
mm.
mm.
to
perch.
Average
is
It
(7.7").
teenth.
unlimited curiosity.
gr.
Male
it
is
seems to have a
it
siderably
often overlooked as
This
roost.
its
when awake
stantly,
it
largely because of
in flight,
ternatively, especially
when
it
little
is
BEAK LENGTH
tangled thickets. At such times the flight becomes particularly jerky in character.
birds
mm.
(0.5").
Male
Average
11.7
Minimum
Maximum
11.5
Rank
WEIGHT
in
11.8
mm.
mm.
mm.
beak length
Female
(0.5")
12.3
(0.5")
11.7
(0.5")
among
13.0
mm.
mm.
mm.
(0.5")
(0.5")
(0.5")
teenth.
Male
Average
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
in
Female
10 1.5 gr.
(3.6 oz.)
gr.
(3.0 oz.)
119.2 gr.
(4.2 oz.)
84.3
weight
among
107.2 gr.
87.9
124.
LEGS, FEET,
(3.8 oz.)
gr.
(3.1
oz.
gr.
(4.3
oz.)
The
feet of the
TALONS
Saw-whet Owl
small, al-
size
of
the
57
The
bird.
which are
feathered to the
jet black.
The
last ball of
this final
There
flight.
is
completed by mid-Novem-
is
ber.
dull yellowish.
VOICE
EYES AND VISION
The
eyes
with
large,
vision
is
of
brilliant
excellent, but
it
irides.
The
will occasionally
is its
quite
night
be witnessed hunting
bird's
Saw-whet Owl
The somewhat
sight,
as
whether
it
important in
metallic string of notes this owl utwhich have been rather grossly likened to the
filing of a saw
and the call for which the bird has
been named is really not the unpleasant sound one
might expect. Nor is it the most common call that the
Saw-whet Owl utters. This supposed saw-filing call,
uttered primarily during courtship
mainly from mid-
ters,
March
to
late
and, though
hearing.
it
April
is
very harsh
rarely
in
nature
the
it,
SWEEEawwww SWEEE-awwww SWEEE-awwww SWEEEawwww and once the owl has begun voicing it, he may
sound
been
little
pause.
attracted
It
has
One
observer,
Screech
its
made
the faint
MOLT
The Saw-whet Owl
exquisitely soft
all
eg
flight
and
feathers
has no ear
fluted
Another
tufts.
Its
plumage is
and with
for
perfectly
soundless
common
relatively
note
metallic-sounding
this
ity.
It
is
The
gun.
possible, the
song sounds
also
last
last
As
closely transliterated as
TAAAaannggg-TAAA-
may
be-
is
may
like:
throughout
much
of
the
voices
this
night.
little
call
It
is
call,
in a rather breathless
WHOOOOOK-WHO-
sounded
OOOOK-WHOOOOOK.
common
call
is
It
not far-carrying
is
yond a distance of
at
this
any
made by
practically
utterance
oo
SSSsss-haaayyyyyyyy-y
and
is
feet.
from
well
is
ing
all
Saw-whet Owl
It
the singing.
One
that
more pleasant
of the
whet Owl
is
noted
calls for
is
just
Next
to the
little
and the
the Saw-whet
(Strix
Owl probably
occidentalis
sp.),
among
calls
or
little
one other
but
is
call
quite
is
is
three narrow
the
cross
both harmonious
white, as
primaries
Two
The
tail.
tip
tail
"eyebrows" (superciliaries)
pool.
sp.)
Spotted Owls
The
feathers.
are spotted
The
the
is
facial
or
white
of
dull
disks.
rim.
The
band
entire
of chestnut-brown
(ex-
The
may have
SEXUAL DIFFERENCES:
SIZE, COLORATION, VOICE
While there
is
no difference
in coloration, markings,
the
slightly
is
indistinct
little
spottings
brown,
of
these
sometimes
larger.
JUVENILE
unexpected snowstorms
accorri-
tail
The
of the
little
owls
information
seems to be available
although
No
regarding
several
zoos
to the
ear region.
The
rest of the
upperparts except on
The
superciliaries
breast
entire
is
tail
and wings,
is
the
all
plain
deep
an unblemished brown
that
is
namon
buff.
The
facial
disks
are blackish
to
brown
cin-
ex-
cept between and over the eyes, where they are whitish.
general
upperparts
is
is
color of
a rich
the
crown, back,
and other
and
sides of the
crown.
On
to just
the forehead
triangular in
wing
itself
lines;
coverts,
in
The
shape,
shoul-
CHARACTERISTICS
brown, but
Saw-whet Owl
59
necessary,
if
reappearance of the animal. Usually the patience reaps its expected reward.
for the
alarm too
easily
Nor
venient shoulder.
camper's
is
it
tent.
The author
city.
ob-
it perched and
on a window ledge of the Wrigley Builddowntown Chicago. However, though relatively
Owl
Owl
will
opportunity
the
if
secluded
and
habitat
man
nature,
retiring
a Saw-whet
kill
Because of the
arises.
owl's
not
is
enemy except during the woodcock-huntwhen owls are frequently shot by mistake
considerable
ing season,
because of their
initially
of the woodcock.
defense
is
Its
speckled ap-
camouflage
size so well
that quite
it
away
all
moves.
it
it
is
will
If
it
is
usually be-
preened
one or more of the many smaller songbirds which delight in tormenting it wherever they find it
birds such
ing in
tame,
itself
it
far
is
probably because of
its
This
seen.
is
as
bush-tits,
chickadees, kinglets,
name
blers, to
and war-
sparrows,
only a few.
and
coloring,
Despite
retiring habits.
small
its
size,
known
mammal
as
large
as
a cottontail
is
although
rabbit,
to kill a
it
The
when
seems to delight
in
perching temporarily in
view
full
tree.
fir
it
the
manner
little
or
its
of prey
entire
it
kill,
attacks,
but dines
It
ness
and
how
to
it
prefers
keep
to
to
the
versatility in hunting.
will quickly
holding
about at
swampy
tangled
tamarack
frequent
alder
bogs,
it
it
likes
and heavy
up temporary
remain there
thickets,
will take
and
will
rats
its
hunting
conifer,
trunk,
especially
cedar
in the foliage.
will
once
sometimes
is
in a
close
dense
to
the
branch
ing
site
camouflaged
it
this
set of talons.
point,
will
it
If there are
finish
killing
still
and then go
this
way
it
after the
has been
living ones
known
still
others
those
its
it
is
beak
remaining.
it
mice
In
in
rapid succession.
When
the
attack
is
say
mouse
and
arrows
di-
slams a sharply
efforts.
By
same time,
is
mice and
manage some-
it
especially
it
Should
of mice at the
when such
it
will
come back
to
it
time
is
agitation.
the winter.
cies,
60
greatest
any
natural
species.
Even
enemies are
the
Screech
the
Saw-whet Owl
oo<< s ;
5?
'?3?
"">-'
rr
ff.f.tf.
^rt;M
is
the
insects,
As the female
sits
in relative serenity
many
the male
in the beak.
bird
mally on
will
her as
circle
During
another branch.
as
and
which she
circling
this
appears to
listen to
or
fifteen
Once he
bring
Saw-whet Owl
has
it
the
killed,
will
first.
If the
are eaten,
large
will
be swallowed whole in a
will
ingly
known
young
as a
to
flying squirrel,
An
torn apart.
sarily
With such an
own weight
its
appetite,
very rapid. As
its
the
at
many
and
feces
may
may be
every
twice
or
ninety
minutes.
him
foot
which gradually
gift of
an
insect or
of talons while he
calls of
mally
flies
continuing his
pair
move out
call,
The female
nor-
whistling
is
of hearing.
once
of
rate
in
will
it
seem-
series of convulsive,
gulpings.
difficult
has been
is
is
it
and maneuvering^ on
shufflings,
is
repeated
lasts for
each
times
several
night
several
for
nights.
meadow
kinds,
red squirrels,
all
red-
young
and
rabbits,
ANNUAL BROODS,
NEST,
such
vireos,
to
when
the
of
die.
pellets
owl
this
as
severe weather
and
Most
such
is
ejects
Owl [Tyto
bird's
line of the
alba pratincola)
very
will
the
they
daytime
habits of the
roost with
roost.
Barn
its
drop-
of
an inch long and half an inch wide have been discovered on the ground beneath a roosting area. At the
time of pellet regurgitation, the owl stands high on its
perch, then crouches while leaning forward and gapes
several times, simultaneously shaking its head violently
back and forth sideways. At last the pellet, covered
with a slick coating of mucus, flies out of the mouth
much
62
as
a foot
the
The
first
is
unlikely,
brooding nor-
an abandoned
is
The
flicker
to 50 feet
is
from 18
as ioo pellets
to
pings.
As many
unknown
Saw-whet
primarily single-brooded, and on a
not
is
Owl, although it is
few recorded occasions, triple-brooding has occurred,
are
its
Double-brooding
it
NESTING HABITS
as
its
it
will
if
laid,
the tree
rarely be
is
alarmed
EGGS
Number
per nesting
five,
or
Three
six.
Five
is
the most
laid,
common
Oval
Shape
to
slightly
nearly globular.
Very smooth and moderately glossy, alis variable and there may be dull
Texture
same
clutch.
Size
average length
of 25.1
mm.
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
length:
3!-5
length:
27.0
width:
28.3
width:
23.6
Interval of egg-laying
and usually
No
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
(1.2")
(1.1")
(1.1")
(0.9")
less
Egg-laying dates
March
Earliest,
May
2.
INCUBATION AND
BROODING CHARACTERISTICS
Incubation
days, with
is
set at
from 26
not
less
to 28 days the
assist in
most of
this activity
is
accomplished by
egg
first
SAW-WHET OWL
laid.
LIFE
Feather development
CHARACTERISTICS
of the fourth
is
fairly rapid,
hatched babies
blind,
first
and
egg
laid,
newly
By
fly
naked,
with
only
and unable
to
young birds
plumage is evident.
worn
and
early August,
tiny, helpless,
This
the
scantiest
this
down
level
ground.
young.
fully fledged
When
may
first
at landing
is
first
when a
winters plum-
At about
this time,
The
is
first
down
is
worn from
10 to 14 days,
and
of the third
make
brown
On
and
the sixteenth
clusive
still
nor the eyes yet fully open. That does not occur until
about the twenty-second day, at which time the iris is a
brilliant lustrous vellow.
this
Queen Charlotte
(Carvel), central
Islands,
Saskatchewan
central
Alberta
(Nipawin), southern
Saw-whet Owl
63
scientific
West
Virginia,
fornia;
Arizona),
(St.
Louisiana
Helena Island),
OTHER NAMES
in
brooks's
owl
subspecific
MIGRATION
There
though
something
is
it
is
of
movement,
migrational
Much depends upon the weather conDuring more severe winters, the Saw-whet Owl
moves much farther southward than at times of mild
winters. Sometimes there is no migrational movement
whatever. Even bad weather does not always make this
owl move, as evidenced by the large numbers found
dead after especially severe storms. Some which wait
until such storms strike and then attempt to migrate
do make it farther south, but these arrive at their
the word.
of
ditions.
destination
emaciated
such
in
slim.
condition
Normally,
migration
is
and reach
its
peak
in
that
if
their
there
is
to
December. Such
is
A much
rarely wit-
kill
a certain
{Aegol-
same
size
in
its
own
This
right.
is
number
is
Aegolius acadicus.
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
does
Owl
closely related, of
nessed.
it
though very
Although
will be-
all, it
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
of pigeons,
destroys
such
LEGS, FEET,
TALONS
legs
and
feet
and
whet Owl.
SCIENTIFIC
NAME AND
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Aegolius acadicus brooksi
scription:
(Fleming).
The markings
Original
de-
64
in
is
tone,
and
all
the
like
but with
colors richer
all
Saw-whet Owl,
and darker.
anything, even
Owl and
more
Saw-whet
and observe. A
So far
Owl
is
habits
as
is
very
and
characteristics, with
it is
bird
family
life
Saw-whet Owl.
DISTRIBUTION
Although
it
to the British
southward as
little
non-migratory.
65
la chouette de richardson
name meaning "Richardson's Owl."
la nyctale boreale
ing "Night
SPECIES
Owl
French-Canadian
of the North."
pillip-pile-tschish
ORDER
STRIGIFORMES
FAMILY:
STRIGIDAE
its calls.
frequently
the
kills.
Old World
tuckwelinguk
One," because
GENUS:
Aegolius
SPECIES:
funereus (Linnaeus)
Kaup
this
daytime.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
SUBSPECIES
richardsoni
(Bonaparte)
Richardson's
RICHARDSON'S
OWL
RICHARDSON'S
(COLOR PLATE
OWL
XI)
tufts.
Rank
NAME AND
SCIENTIFIC
Owl
in
over-all size
among
the
eighteen
species:
Tenth.
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Aegolius funereus richardsoni (Bonaparte). Original
SHAPE AT REST
malmi
its
underside
In this stance
it
sparrow. Despite
is
its
its
perch.
OTHER NAMES
at times
vex as
location
to
this
appear to be
slightly
in other owls.
geographic
owl often
seeks.
arctic
saw-whet owl
From geographic
SHAPE IN FLIGHT
location
66
Richardson's
Not unlike
Owl
the
is
is
not as
much
it is
TAIL LENGTH
more streamlined.
Species average: 103.0
mm.
(4.1").
Male
FLIGHT PATTERN
Again,
it
Average
95.5
Minimum
Maximum
88.1
Rank
102.5
in tail length
whet Owl, the differences being that it gives the apbit more directness and determination in
its flight. The wings beat rather rapidly, and this is
mm.
mm.
mm.
Female
110.5
(3.5")
95.3
mm.
mm.
mm.
(3.8")
(4.0")
among
19.9
(4.4")
(3.8")
(4.7")
pearance of a
especially noticeable
ity in
when
it
approaches
BEAK LENGTH
nesting cav-
its
mm.
(0.6").
Male
birds:
Average
14.
Minimum
Maximum
13.3
Rank
15.8
beak
in
mm.
mm.
mm.
Female
(0.6")
14.6
(0.5")
14.2
(0.6")
16.6
length
among
mm.
mm.
mm.
(0.6")
(0.6")
(0.7")
eighteen
the
species:
Twelfth.
WEIGHT
Species average: 217.5 S1"- (7-6 oz.).
Male
Average
226.7 g1
in
"-
weight
Female
(74 oz -)
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
210.9 E r
192.7 gr.
LEGS, FEET,
gr.
(7.8 oz.)
(6.8 oz.)
199.2 gr.
(7.0 oz.)
(7-9 oz -)
2 35- 2
(8.2
among
224.1
P*-
oz.)
TOTAL LENGTH
Species average: 247.7
mm.
240.0
Minimum
Maximum
209.6
Rank
263.0
in total
mm.
mm.
mm.
length
absent.
The
(9.8").
Male
Average
TALONS
Female
(
9.5")
255.3
8.3")
232.5
(10.4")
308.6
among
mm.
mm.
mm.
iai ")
9.2")
(12.2")
There
some
is
variation in
slight
specimens.
different
Though
iris
color
in
among
irides
WINGSPAN
extremes.
Species average: 602.7
mm.
(23.8").
Male
Average
594-4
Minimum
Maximum
499.1
Rank
in
626.4
mm.
mm.
mm.
Female
(23.4")
611.0
(19.7")
567.7
(24.7")
654.1
mm.
mm.
mm.
(24.1")
(22.4")
(25.8")
It
sun
is
mm.
166.0
(6.5")
172.7
Minimum
Maximum
158.9
(6.3")
164.9
(6.9")
190.9
in
Female
Average
Rank
much
(6.7").
Male
mm.
mm.
1740 mm.
light at
mm.
mm.
mm.
(6.8")
is
excellent
(6.5")
hunting.
(7.5")
Owl
is
all
the North
and
Owl
species, hearing
Though
this
auditory-
sense
of
Richardson's
Richardson's
American owl
Owl
(Tyto alba)
or Barred
Owls
67
The
owl.
this
and vary
it
is
slightly in physical
many
may
in the similar
so, is
if
much
as
cries.
On
be found in
markedly asymmetrical as
as
placed
but smaller
Saw-whet Owl.
SEXUAL DIFFERENCES:
SIZE, COLORATION, VOICE
MOLT
There
is
Owl
Richardson's
tufts. Its
plumage
is
birds.
The female
is
slightly
larger
There
is
though not
extent,
pronounced a de-
in as
VOICE
calls,
many
but not as
great
smaller
variation
owl.
as the
the
of
that
as
calls
Richardson's
is
capable of a
and piercing
distinctly
bell-like
distinctive call
muted and
ventriloquial,
a small
into
below
pool
not
span
too
may
owl
expect that
it
would
is
in
of years of
have, although
live at least as
it
statistics
normal
life-
reasonable to
is
even longer.
highly
proclivity of sound-
little
this
number
is
tinkling
Numerous
most un-owl-like
in character. Its
series of
evidence of
is
to
trickling waterfall
unlike
is
The upperparts
same
this
It
a de-
of Richardson's
Owl
are generally a
for
sides of
re-
spots,
head
liberally spotted
hidden by overlying plumage. Some of the greater coverts and the wing coverts near the edge of the wings
have a
it
distinctive
scattering
of white
spots
that
are
ventriloquistic at times
sound.
about
five
lasts for
68
into silence
for
or
may
or ten seconds by a
call
This
fall
latter call
may
five
may
whimpering.
fairly large
the secondaries
lid
is
In
and immediately above the upper eyean unblemished area of pure dark brown or black.
The
mid-point
sides of the
Richardson's
Owl
While
it
somewhat stunted spruce in relative proximity to grasslands, more often than not it will be found in mixed
coniferous and hardwood forests. Farther north it is
confined primarily to evergreen woods and dense alder
thickets. During winter, when it occasionally wanders
into more developed areas, it will roost in isolated
deciduous trees, usually low and close to the trunk. Now
and again it will roost on the rafters of barns or under
the eaves of outbuildings. Most often, wherever it happens to settle, roosting is done in relatively thick growth
and within a dozen feet of the ground. During the
summertime it tends to wander into slightly higher
mountain elevations.
JUVENILE
Only the wings and
tail
adult birds.
slaty
area of
the
ear
are
unmarked
and
the eye
black.
the
in
Superciliaries,
lores,
tail
Owl can
feathers.
to
is
birds
are
as
many
its
its
attacker
strong talons. It
owls
of
species
smaller
in
North
America.
CHARACTERISTICS
Richardson's
excited.
As a
Owl
result,
when
it
sometimes
though
alarm.
Al-
most active in the early evening until nightfall and during the first gray light of dawn, it can be
found actively hunting at almost any time of day or
night,
it is
on overcast days.
particularly
If
agitated,
this
long
a strong
flights.
an ocean
flier
Some
liner
in
Richardson's
Owl
tends to
sit
ful
when prey
appears.
The
talons
ously,
wings
flutter rapidly to
tail is
Although
it
has been
tail
known
to
and
catch smaller
linnets,
this
is
raw chicken
and
will
rail
of
relatively rare.
tion prey
and only
Richardson's
Owl
is
If
less
69
much
the abandoned
less often,
Lemmings
especially
diet,
especially
Sparrows,
and
linnets,
more northerly
richardsoni
will
tion this
owl
whether
grasshoppers,
the
roaches,
especially
Insects,
crickets,
beetles,
some
along with
eaten,
wing.
frogs
and remain
of stormy weather
rarely
the
in
vicinity
much
without
of
either
nest
or
Each
roost.
Number
The
feces
dark,
are
approach
EGGS
but
difficulty,
such a hole,
The
use
also
when on
used,
bird's
is
Aegolius funereus
times
is
the
of
limits
range.
the
in
As few
per nesting
two and
as
as
many as
More
eight,
five,
or
six.
Color
a vague yellowish
cast,
which may
possibly be a dietary
manifestation.
solid.
Rounded
Shape
oval,
ular.
Texture
fir
sits
of swift
and expert
cluding
dives,
and again
his
while
calls
Now
will
strike
upward
As
of a quarter hour.
like
is
of the 49
length
36.6
29.0
width
28.8
width
25.4
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
Eggs are
(1.4")
(1.1")
(1.1")
(1.0")
not
laid
less
than
mo-
Egg-laying dates
May
latest,
June 9
20.
INCUBATION AND
BROODING CHARACTERISTICS
Earliest, April
Incubation
egg
is
laid,
27 days.
ANNUAL BROODS,
The extremes
height in a tree.
ended,
in length
it
more often
on the
(1.3")
length
Interval of egg-laying
sounds
mm.
32.2
in width.
(1.1")
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
mostly
so engaged.
mm.
is
dips,
whistlings
by 26.9
glossiness.
Size
may
and
The female
does
all
or almost
all
of the in-
cubating, and the male provides food for her while she
NEST,
is
thus occupied.
NESTING HABITS
Normally only one brood per year, although rarely
two. Almost invariably the laying of a second clutch of
eggs occurs only
there
is
second
if
the
first set is
may be
laid
if
the
Otus
Elkin,
XVm
ruined.
XVII
Otus
asio bendirei
CALIFORNIA SCREECH
Number 373-C
Richardson's
Owl
OWL
November
10, 1965.
A.O.U.
>s\<gluA<-
xxL^
mm
i
*
LIFE
CHARACTERISTICS
Because of staggered hatching, the young
considerably in size in the nest
number
dividual brood.
of
shell,
its
The
may
smallest
vary
will
becomes
fact that
The
residue
still
tips of the
new
juvenal plumage.
There
is
plumage by the
Hardisty
Yukon
region),
Saskatchewan
OWL
Fairbanks),
(Fortymile), Mackenzie
central
northern Manitoba
(Nulato,
(Lake
(Nipawin),
Quebec
(around the area of Kapuskasing
(Magdalen Islands), Labrador (Hopedale), and probably Newfoundland, southward to northern British
Columbia (Flood Glacier, Laurier Lake), central Alsouthern Maniberta (Athabaska Landing, Belvedere
western Ontario (around
toba (probably Winnipeg
Wabigoon), Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick (Grand
Ontario
New York
sor Hill,
(vicinity of
Provi-
dence)
Manan).
Winters in part throughout
especially
bad-weather
(Fillmore County),
southward
,
)
(Free-
Ottawa
XLX
Otus
asio brewsteri
County,
California,
BREWSTER
MIGRATION
southern Michigan
area
to
nesota
its
years
SCREECH OWL
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
373-J
It
XX
Otus
tains,
ber 373-F
damage
(Ridgway). Female. Chiricahua MounCochise County, Arizona, June 20, 1968. A.O.U. Num-
asio cineraceus
to
songbird
this
populations
its
breeding
season, but
diet
Richardson's
Owl
7'
tufts.
SPECIES
ORDER
virginianus sp.).
STRIGIFORMES
wilson's
FAMILY:
STRIGIDAE
GENUS:
Asio Brisson
SPECIES:
otus (Linnaeus)
owl
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
This
is
American Owl
over
SUBSPECIES
and exhibiting a
WESTERN LONG-
Godfrey
erect,
the
North
all
narrower, and
set
EARED OWL
all
which tend to be
somewhat closer together
than those of the Horned Owls or Screech Owls (Otus
asio sp.). These ear tufts, on occasion, tend to lean
toward one another slightly and are faintly tapered
toward the tips on their outer edges. The facial disks
tion,
LONG-EARED OWL
wilsonianus (Lesson)
species,
plumage, having
its
more
tuftsi
Honorary name.
medium
full
superciliaries
and
lores.
medium-sized
LONG-EARED OWL
{COLOR PLATE
Rank
in
over-all size
among
eighteen
the
species:
Eighth.
XII)
SHAPE AT REST
SCIENTIFIC
NAME AND
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Asio
otus
wilsonianus
(Lesson).
Original
descrip-
Although the Long-eared Owl tends to slouch somewhat when relaxed on its perch, it can straighten and
elongate its body to an amazing extent, becoming very
long and slender in appearance an action which effectively helps to camouflage the bird and make it
appear
to
especially effective
Former
Otus
signified.
scientific
vulgaris,
ianus.
Owl (Otus
asio
naevius)
it
it
is
easily
distin-
OTHER NAMES
American
lonc-eared
owl
To
differentiate
this
brush owl
French-Canadian
tail
built.
Long-eared Owl
is,
SHAPE IN FLIGHT
The wings are relatively longer and narrower for its
body size than are those of the Great Horned Owl,
and the ear tufts are virtually without exception held
tightly to the head during flight. The tail is quite
evident in flight silhouette.
mm.
(11.3").
Male
Average
285.8
Minimum
Maximum
269.2
mm.
mm.
295.9
mrn
Rank
in
Female
(11.3")
288.3
(10.6")
274.3
II -7")
301.0
mm.
mm.
mm.
(11.4")
(10.8")
(11.9")
FLIGHT PATTERN
The
Long-eared
flight of the
Owl
that of the
is
buoyancy
flammeus)
but
TAIL LENGTH
somewhat wa-
is
Species average: 15
Owl
flutter
and hover
When
necessary,
1 1
like
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
in tail
154.9
mm
(6.1")
(5.6")
151.
mm.
(6.0")
(6.1")
168.9
mm
(6.7")
length
among
BEAK LENGTH
Species average: 17.0
mm.
(0.7").
Male
flight.
Female
(5.8")
will
it is
(6.0").
148.1
mm.
mm.
143.
1537 mm.
Average
mm.
Male
it
1.5
birds:
Average
16.6
Minimum
Maximum
15.2
Rank
17.8
beak
in
mm.
mm.
mm.
Female
(0.7")
17.3
(0.6")
16.0
(0.7")
20.6
among
length
mm.
mm.
mm.
the
(0.7")
(0.6")
(0.8")
eighteen
species:
Seventh.
WEIGHT
Species average: 275.2 gr. (9.6 oz
Male
258.5 gr.
9.1
oz.)
282.0 gr.
9.9
Minimum
Maximum
215.4 S1
7-5
oz -)
227.0 gr.
8.0 oz.)
Rank
in
"-
299.4 ST-
weight
oz.)
I0 -5 oz
among
TALONS
LEGS, FEET,
Female
Average
The
tarsus of the
Owl
Long-eared
slightly longer
is
averaging
TOTAL LENGTH
the
mm.
339-2
Minimum
Maximum
328.9
Rank
352.7
mm.
mm.
mm.
in total length
tips.
The
feet
have a powerful
grip.
(14.0").
Male
Average
The
Female
(13.4")
369.6
(13.0")
333.1
(13.9")
407.7
among
mm.
mm.
mm.
(14.6")
(13.1")
(16.1")
Untroubled by the bright light of day, the LongOwl is occasionally abroad during the daytime,
eared
WINGSPAN
Species average: 978.1
mm.
956.3
Minimum
Maximum
920.9
Rank
in
1,009.7
mm.
mm.
mm.
Its
(37.7")
Female
1,000.0
(36.3")
964.0
(39.8")
1,098.7
mm.
mm.
mm.
(39.4")
it
is
flying
and
its
vision
is
best adapted to
The
late
this
(38.0")
(43.3")
possibly
if
(38.5").
Male
Average
in daylight.
meus)
Long-eared Owl
the
Short-eared
Owl
(Asio
eyes of
species, except
flammeus flam-
73
,.
seconds. It
is
Ear cavities are asymmetrical in shape and positionthough not to as great a degree as in some species.
Hearing is excellent and more an aid in hunting than
is vision, though the two senses complement one aning,
It
is
practically impossible to
When
comes
excited
sounding
calls
wheck!-WHECK!-wheck!
like
ally
be-
it
wit,h
Owl
irked,
This
syllable.
in flight, as
is
call
circles
it
usu-
is
about
squealing whistle.
facial disks
by emulation of
this
sound.
sounding
pleased
or
is
low-pitched
to
utterance
interspersed with a
someone
calling
softly
closer together
Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus virginOwls (Otus asio sp.) and much
Owl
(Asio flam-
flying.
is
back
laid
There
against
flat
the
a complete an-
is
nual molt of adult plumage beginning in mid-September and concluded by mid-December. This molt
gressive
and has
any, effect
little, if
his
The
call
often repeated
frequently accompanied by a
self-satisfied
woo-HUH-KK who-HUH-KK,
of
MOLT
encouraging three-note
softer,
hoooof-HOOOOF-hooof,
like
five
rather
satisfied
upon
pro-
is
flight.
sexes,
flutters wildly
as
cries,
series
if
Defenses.)
In addition
Long-eared
to
readily
these
identifiable
calls,
the
at
puppy
squalls,
at
along
distance,
some
whistlings,
with
deep
prolonged,
shrill
snorting
chucklings,
hiss-
these
ing
VOICE
While
variety of calls
its
the
other
number
ever,
species,
Owls
it
is
nevertheless
has
an
some
of
interesting
How-
many
other
is
it
certainly not
as
vociferous as
North American owls can be and, except during courtship and nesting season, is rarely heard.
The most common call is a regularly intoned, mellow, and rather soft and musical kwooo-kwooo-kwoookwooo, with the emphasis, if any, on the first note.
This
like:
that
of
the
plumage
col-
males and
is
in
almost
bit
larger than
all
less
melodious than
Eastern
for
no known reason,
this
The
owl
first
will
cry
intensity
entirely,
74
unlike
loudest
and
and again,
produce a
is
manner not
Owl
KWOOOO-OOO-OOO-OO-OO-O-O.
Now
Male
call
quavering
Screech
SEXUAL DIFFERENCES:
SIZE, COLORATION, VOICE
left:
Owl
awake by
intruder;
tuft,
ouflage posturing.
Long-eared Owl
when young
fffff\ $\
it
l.o*c*~<?cA*-e.d
Ouu|
Qti.tvJz
St^ef.ti
it is
known
in captivity. Mortality
among
if
there
if
is
a shortage of
killed
is
and the
the
greater
The
ends.
and
form a conspicuous
coverts
buff,
underwing mark.
as well.
JUVENILE
Facial disks of the juvenals are considerably darker
entire upperparts
much
The
slaty
in
than those of the adults. They are usually a deep cinnamon red brown. The ear tufts are smaller than they
and
ciliaries
tail
The
nature.
primaries, especially on
CHARACTERISTICS
and from
five to
transverse rows
and the
The
like
is
tail.
in
white or
tips.
feathers
of the
pure
in
spent
are
hidden
well
flush easily
slate brown. Very tiny saltand-pepper specklings of black and white are sprinkled
on the forehead and sides of the head. Eyebrows (su-
gaze
which
lores
in
head.
The
Often
it
quickly
will
sibility,
rich
orange-brown
facial
rim
is
to
The
reddish-brown
is
is
this
is
it
those
perched, because
the
goes
from sleepy
indignant.
to
West than
may
to
become rather
characteristic
in
gre-
more
roosting areas
and then
it
for
This
but closed.
noticeable in the
of
when
rarely seen.
is
area, passing
and
cover
dense
in
inclined to
and
is
morning and
the
in
more
perciliaries)
wing
Owl
the center of each feather but with the edges buffy and
the
its
The uppermost
often on
nevertheless
areas
too,
this time.
The
coloration.
sort
of vague
collar
across
the
throat.
The
is
76
buffy gray
well-timbered
with water
Long-eared
Owl
areas,
streams,
especially
river,
and
in
lakes.
Owl
close
This
keeps to
conjunction
is
true even
in the
more remote
ence
is
regions of
its
habitat.
no other cover
if
available
is
use strictly
prefer-
Its
mixed hardwood
will
it
scrub, espe-
when such growth is in the form of tangled thickSuch areas that are well interlaced with vines are
cially
ets.
normally
site
lo-
Lacking satisfactory
roost in caves or
ravines.
may
It
brush cover,
tree or
deep cracks
be found roosting
up
tions at elevations
to
this
owl
will
canyons or
in the walls of
favorable loca-
in
The most
,000 feet.
pre-
may
be
six
or
begins
moving away,
still
still
hold-
wings partially open and acting as if it is carrying prey that is too large to be picked up and flown
with. This will continue until the intruder has been
ing
its
sibly
Owl
pos-
will
While normally
launching
this
physical encounters,
it
is
safe for
tactics to actual
is
itself
and the
Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus sp.), which prey upon
it wherever encountered. Pigeon Hawks, too, have been
known to attack and kill them. In rare instances, the
Northern Barred Owl (Strix varia varia) will kill and
devour Long-eared Owls. There is also a certain amount
of pestering from smaller birds such as wrens, blackbirds,
cowbirds, kingbirds, and shrikes. Oddly, magpies seldom
it
physical
injury,
The
wings so
facing
the
in defense of
to the
the
that
wings are
the
of
tips
its
young.
eter.
In
this pose,
with ear
so closely resembles a
extremely
can owls
difficult.
this
is
up-
across
much
bird
than
it
actually
acingly, snap
is
its
its tail
will glare
it
larger
and
is
spread to
its
in
its
nest.
One
make a
cry
of
type
different
sounds exactly as
if
as prey
of
bird
altogether.
and
as
if
It
and caught
that bird
is
voicing
accompanied by a good
bit of rustling and feather-rattling on the ground, as
if the owl were struggling with some manner of prey.
Once the intruder has been decoyed in that direction
and away from the endangered young, the parent bird
its
fullest
is
While the Long-eared Owl favors timberlands as habitat, most of its hunting is done over open lands bordering woodlands. Only a small percentage of its hunting is done in dense woods, although its flying ability
through tangled areas of brush and trees is little short
of phenomenal. Tending to range back and forth more
than many other owl species, it flies about six or seven
feet off the ground in utter silence, its head usually
canted slightly to one side, better to detect the sound
of prey movements. When prey is detected, the bird
darts to the exact spot and pounces with impressive
skill on the exact spot where its ears have told it the
prey is located, even though the prey may not be visible.
Though it will eat birds, it seldom catches them on
the wing.
The
birds that
it
Long-eared Owl
77
How prey is
Up to the size
killed
is
normally carried
in
ANNUAL BROODS,
size.
its
carried in
is
NEST,
NESTING HABITS
one or both
sets of talons.
Although there
some
is
evidence of double-
slight
the Long-eared
Owl
throughout
range.
eggs
wood
its
deer mice,
rats,
house
shrews,
its
when
but
its
nesting season.
It
is
only
gitation
may
after feeding.
These
pellets are
nest
the
is
down beneath
however, the
If,
clutch of
first
abandoned
later.
Almost invariably
its
feet
high
amount
is
evidently a
certain
of effort
own
its
Strips of bark
use.
some mosses or
in
and often
plumage from the female owl. Although it will
leaves
and
low
as
in
rare
15
and 30
cases
most
feet in
on protected
rocks, but this
cliff
is
higher altitudes
often
the
height. Nesting
will
is
be between
sometimes done
nesting at
own
interlocked sticks
and has
its
was previously
is
little
uniformity or strength.
Once
in, it is
range,
is
its
its
is
very difficult to
make
in
it,
join in
nest,
eggs,
or
young.
Owl is among
humans have
ever witnessed
the
life
history
of
Asio
otus
ivilsonianus
has
this
closely
The male
casionally with
deliberately
but
some
it
is
known
sort
delicately
is
misidentification
As few
a pos-
corded.
of prey
takes
from
his
beak with
78
is
less
often on
the
in
Owl
sibility.
EGGS
not
dense
limb of a well-exposed
as three
and
as
Customarily
eggs and
many
less
the
Long-eared
as eight
have been
re-
Rounded
Shape
Texture
Size
mm.
is
40.9
mm.
(1.6")
in length
Long-eared Owl
by 33.3
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Interval
length:
43.4
length:
35.1
width:
37.6
width:
30.0
Almost
egg-laying
of
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
(1.7")
ception
(1.4")
at
(1.5")
about
48
12; latest,
June
Southern Canada:
5; normally
between
April
earliest,
May
May
9 and
is
hours apart.
Egg-laying dates
The egg
(1.2")
always
is
now
still
is
the seventh day, but usually not until the eighth day.
At
this stage
the babies
still
if
disturbed.
19-
New
England and
May
latest,
New York
earliest,
By about the
March
and
May
19
ter. If
15-
East:
earliest,
March
14;
latest,
May
latest
30; normally
to freeze
in
position;
but
if
May
6; normally
actions,
June
2;
normally be-
aggressive in their
no
birds have
LIFE
and
tail
feathers
winter plumage
The
apart,
The
result
is
Within the
first
three days
after
being trod
five
young,
it
be replaced by short,
CHARACTERISTICS
starts to
the frosting
is
un-
common.
At hatching, the eyes of the babies are closed; they
do not begin opening until the third or fourth day.
They are nearly naked, and only on the principal
feather tracts is there a meager white down. The ex-
is
are
tips.
Wings
well on the
way
to
first
replacing the
Long-eared
Owl
the winter.
79
mally,
all
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
Although a certain amount of damage
songbird
mal,
year-round
rodents
during
populations
damage
of
diet
which make
is
large
an economic
is
done to
Owl's
Long-eared
not extensive.
Its
nor-
numbers of injurious
up 80 per cent
all
the
to
90 per cent of
make
clearly
this
bird
asset.
NAME AND
SCIENTIFIC
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
LONG-EARED OWL
otus
Volume
Number
61,
(February
The Canadian
Godfrey,
tuftsi
November-December,
6,
Asio
Field-Naturalist,
1947
OTHER NAMES
Breeds from southern Manitoba (Shoal Lake), western and southern Ontario, southern Quebec
John),
New
(Lake
Canadian
St.
owl
After
part
of
geo-
graphic range.
long-eared
long-eared
owl
Erroneously, since
it
is
the West-
ern form and should always be listed with that descriptive term.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
The
MIGRATION
is
is
far
more
As men-
is
So
factor
disks, breast,
tioned,
others.
fairly
in
it
paler;
pronounced
in
greatest
and
particularly
belly
is
noticeable
generally
much
on the
facial
Owl
are
and the
facial
disks
which
so distinguishes the
less
distinct
Western Long-eared
Owl
much
have an absence of
Long-
eared Owl.
an
disks
light
brown,
TOTAL LENGTH
Asio otus tuftsi tends to average just slightly
over-all
than Asio
length
wilsonianus.
otus
total
is
less in
Average
mm.
335.3
(13-2").
TAIL LENGTH
though
Surprisingly,
it
is
length of Asio
tail
mm.
otus
(6.1")
VOICE
The Western Long-eared Owl
Owl and
the Long-eared
is
is
less
vociferous than
Even then
it
The
calls
make
does
Long-eared
to those of the
Owl
in tonal
it
Asio otus
utters
infrequently,
tuftsi
Godfrey
and
quality
which seem
the repertoire of the Long-eared Owl.
ing sounds
absent in
it
calls as
to
be
Even more
and
daylight
hours
in
very
the
deepest
creek
valley
swamps, or
lakes.
The
EGGS
as
though they are normally a tan coloration. All underparts have a good bit of whitish and pale yellowish
buff
as
the
considerably
sonianus, although by no
soft, pale,
bars,
all
respects
to
and
of Asio
those
is
March
June 10, with the height of the egglaying season falling between March 26 and May 18.
13
latest
is
yellowish sandy
The upperparts
Virtually identical in
from
southern
Mackenzie
(Fort
Simpson,
Columbia (Nulki
Lake), and extreme southwest Manitoba (Whitewater
Fort
Western Long-eared
Providence),
Owl
central
British
81
Lake),
central
southeastern)
and
southwestern
(and
narrowly
em
MIGRATION
to
30N.), southern Arizona (Bates Well, Pima County, Santa Rita Mountains), New Mexico (Sante Fe) and western Texas.
Baja California
(to
Lat.
(Tiburon
to
Island),
northern
There is a slight migration of the Western LongOwl, especially toward the coastal areas in
Washington State, Oregon, and northern California
during late autumn, but never a truly general movement of the subspecies.
eared
and Du-
rango.
82
Western Long-eared
Owl
meadow owl
likes.
SPECIES
Especially applied to
race
the
of
within
its
range.
palmetto owl
ORDER:
STRIGIFORMES
FAMILY
STRIGIDAE
owl
in respect to
swamp owl
prefers treeless
GENUS:
Asio Brisson
SPECIES
flammeus
Pontoppidan
name
Indian
meaning
"Pontoppidan's
Small-eared
Owl."
SUBSPECIES
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
flammeus (Pontoppidan)
SHORT-EARED
eared
OWL
eared
Owl
Owl
is
but with a
much
SHORT-EARED OWL
{COLOR PLATE XIV)
when
discern but,
and only
SCIENTIFIC
rarely
discernible,
a positive identity
are
tufts are
is
flight
a distinctive ob-
NAME AND
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Owl and
large buffy
Volume
Strix
i,
rim
flammea.
cipitrina, Strix
as in other owls.
Rank
in
over-all
size
among
the
eighteen
species:
Seventh.
OTHER NAMES
SHAPE AT REST
owl Because of its preference
meadow grasses or marsh grasses.
grass
deep
le
hibou
name meaning
oreilles
French-Canadian
"Short-eared Owl."
courtes
for areas of
marsh owl
frequents.
"Marsh Owl."
tends
owl
it
is
rather bulky
when
a camouflaging measure. In
to
American
this
of this owl
lean
owls,
as-
Short-eared
Owl
83
SHAPE IN FLIGHT
punctuated by very
sionally
steep,
dives toward
swift
the ground.
Especially as
Marsh Hawk
the
by
it
and meadows,
grasses
much
its
tail,
WEIGHT
in flight,
The underparts
Species average
286.9 gr.
(10.0 oz.)
Minimum
Maximum
261.3 g r
in
weight
perch
to
perch
(11.8 oz.)
276.0 gr.
9.7
oz.)
oz.)
among
mm.
(15.5").
Male
Average
385.8
Minimum
Maximum
336.3
Rank
is
(12.1
the ground
to
9- 2
336.5 gr.
TOTAL LENGTH
and rather
sloppy in character as the bird ranges back and forth in
quest of prey, although the wingbeat is buoyant and
easy, interspersed with long glides. The flight from
low
345.9 gr.
FLIGHT PATTERN
is
oz. ).
Female
Average
Rank
tances.
flight
3ii.7gr. (10.9
Male
the black
Normally,
making
birds:
3 males
appearance
tinctive
this
429.2
in total
mm.
mm.
mm.
length
Female
(15.2")
403.2
(13.3")
363.4
(16.9")
among
mm.
mm.
mm.
(15.9")
(14.3")
(17.1")
434-7
the eighteen species: Eighth.
direct-line distance of
The wingbeats
During
its
ranging
flight
flight
watch
or a low perch,
ally into the
glide.
When
back,
spills
rises in
is
Average
pauses to
it
detected
it
raises its
into
Rank
less
Short-eared
Owl
distinctive:
shares
to vary
a flight
much from
its
characteristic
very
is
It is
tips
and
them-
unusual
flight
tips are
mm
(44- 1 ")
I20 -3
>
characteristics
mm.
(12.2").
284.9
in
321.3
mm.
mm.
mm.
Female
(11.8")
318.9
(11.2")
290.8
(12.7")
336.7
mm.
mm.
mm.
(12.6")
(11.5")
(13.3")
TAIL LENGTH
human
vision.
This
it
is
is
is
at
occa-
(5-9")-
Male
Average
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
Asio
of
mm.
brought up
84
(39.8")
(4 2 -9")
(4 21 ")
the
if
Minimum
Maximum
body
sweep of
of
299.1
its
One
mm.
Average
Rank
1,009.8
the horizontal
almost as
instead.
is
mm
(38.2")
Male
do not seem
1,067.4
mm
with the
1,088.9
(41. 1")
is
The
in
970.2
Female
mm.
mm.
its
The wingbeat
tall grasses.
(41.6").
first
its
wings over
1,042.8
Minimum
Maximum
in-
is
mm.
Male
WINGSPAN
courtship maneuverings.
in tail
mm.
(5.8")
154.3
135.9
mm
(54")
39-4
mm
mm
149.9
mm.
(5.9")
158.8
mm.
length
among
Owl
Owl
(6.1")
(5-5")
(6.3")
done mostly
in
northern Illinois of
Short-eared
the Short-eared
Female
146.1
in flight,
which
is
char-
**<~\
,r/'
e^ trt
Tit
Offer!
mom
ouyJ
f\a*t <&+f'1W-e
....
fa.K,
.*
^t^h'o^s
"'^O
BEAK LENGTH
mm.
Male
Average
16.9
Minimum
Maximum
15.8
Rank
18.7
mm.
mm.
mm.
beak length
in
(0.7").
Female
(0.7")
17.7
(0.6")
16.8
(0.7")
19.9
among
mm.
mm.
mm.
(0.7")
(0.7")
(0.8")
The
legs
LEGS, FEET,
TALONS
and
feet of Asio
The
legs are
mm.
44.5
(1.8")
this
size
ex-
on the average
is
not
brown-phase bird
is
warm
is
a pure white or
slightly
the feet
is
fairly strong
MOLT
tal-
Tending
pointed.
to lean or curve
is
an
which
bird elongates itself on
ier;
illusion
plumage
is
when
dispelled
is
much
the
bulk-
perched
its
flage.
is
tlingly
The
much in
irides
still
The
Short-eared
strictly
more important
is
all
plumage.
VOICE
Be-
is
are star-
Owl
ber,
contrast to the
The
Short-eared
Owl
much
less
is
non-breeding periods as
is
it
is
vociferous then as
and nesting
time.
One
of
is
much
like the
yapping of a
much
like:
is
in a series
ANK-ANK-ANK
is
Not
The
owls,
is
because of
its
more diurnal
in
markedly
86
as
vital function
and
ears are
strictly
nocturnal owls.
The
ear
Otus
asio floridanus
many
species.
There
is,
however, an
OWL
tember
its
FLORIDA SCREECH
11, 1939.
Ten
Short-eared
Owl
Not included
aT7rou^i
SEXUAL DIFFERENCES:
SIZE, COLORATION, VOICE
A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-N-N-N-K
been uttered.
When
solitarily
soft,
The same
ity.
call
TOOT-TOOT-TOOT-TOOT.
distinct sort of
As
is
eared
is
Owl
made by
made
in anticipation of
and belly, shading into a faint creamion the breast and sides, while the adult females are
a distinct orangish buff on these parts. There is some
speculation that such color differences may be due to
coverts, flanks,
ness
time.
is
weak, whistling
cry,
two
it is
on a year-round
erally
basis
distinctly sexual.
is
less
male
bird.
When
much
as
by a
may
to
raspy
issue a
if
may
or
not be followed
spond
at
When
and
is
the
sound
lasts
re-
subdued manner,
is
given
(The same
and
is
is
evidently far
of
little
on the
though
The
this
es-
for about
to be silent.
but
it
is
are lacking;
it,
is
some-
more
note, in a
may
raspy
cries,
chucklings,
Young and
hiss at intruders.
This sound
is
At
male (and
Screech
Owl (Otus
This
generally a light
call,
and quite
ing
it
may
strangely enough,
difficult to locate,
is
to
extremely ventriloquial
issu-
naevius)
asio
is
warm
SCREECH OWL
iable,
Otus
Number 373-O
7,
1940.
A.O.U.
brown
widely
legs are
warm brownish
is
white or
a cold gray
tinge.
is
highly var-
among
birds of the
and
is
HASBROUCK
is
the Eastern
is
There
to
of
warm
the
rump,
has
blackish-brown
on the feathers of
the shoulders, nape, back, and breast. Stripes on the
belly and sides are considerably narrower and gradually
center stripe. This striping
Short-eared
Owl
is
heaviest
87
disappear
until,
tail coverts,
on
flanks, legs,
lower
belly,
and under-
CHARACTERISTICS
Short-eared
in
is
The
ish
inner primaries
brown
may
to light buff,
may even
quills
The primary
vague
times two)
series of
tip-
five
brown on
orangish-brown spots on a
in
Facial-disk coloration
black.
may
bristle shafted
much deeper
to a
brown
to black.
The
the
activities,
is
and tends
while
It
much
most apt
is
it
favors the
same
sort of habitat
to range
hunting,
Hawk.
to
manner
the
in
to the
ground
the
Marsh
of
cloudy days.
tially
Next
species
to the
among
is
this
It
is
and there
is
lit-
tle
may
the owl
winter's inclemencies,
take a temporary'
the
is
Owl
day-hunting
frequent
its
(some-
Because of
is
is
it
it
mates for
In most cases,
life.
brown,
is
irregularly orange
brown spot
usually
which
buffy
The
white,
underside of the
primaries
is
normally
(usually
two
more inland
areas.
some extent
will associate to
and,
sp.)
something of a mutual
well,
Short-eared
those
in
agreement, as
territorial
areas
where
their
ranges
the
area of terrain
Owl
the
Owl
particular
meadows,
edges; the Burrowing Owl
Short-eared
in the
first
time and
tends to
sit
fly
settling,
but
it
flammeus
The
facial
disks
are invariably a
color,
Wings and
88
ranging
tail
characteristic
it
seems
of
Asio
flammeus
to take considerable
The upperparts
is
unusual
JUVENILE
slaty
rather
to
smoky
gray.
observed
many
times
as
the
Short-eared
Owl
has
Great Blue
ably agile
aerial
Short-eared
Owl
flier,
It
is
a remark-
maneuvers.
should be noted,
it
as
Owl
is
one
pastures,
mountain
city
villages,
canyons,
slopes,
More
fields,
and
roost,
its
it
prewill
at
will roost in
it
it
although
an indistinguishable
or overgrown meadow-
sleep
will threaten
it
with
Among
more evident
in
an
if
ever, will
it
roost in
flushed
by
grasses,
particularly
low, wet
is
it
beak
in
meadow.
earlier
to
flushes
He
30
first.
then in
feet,
it
is
much
who al-
the male
manner
full
wing and
at a height of
lie
fly
about 20
will cry
and
way.
whole variety of
calls
may
be uttered in an effort
bird,
somehow
just
managing
and con-
fails,
nest,
sistently
an
in
in a peculiarly injured
It
and
Though
feet.
its
hardwoods.
become
back and
in great agitation,
sharply taloned
beak,
its
ways
ter
its
its
an actual attack.
characteristic
beak
its
onto
is
those performed
areas.
fers
menacingly, snap
hiss
itself
it
however,
birds. If,
not
is
adult birds as
wing and
circle
above him. At
this
wing and both birds will circle and cry close overhead
while the young birds scatter from the nest into the
deeper surrounding grasses a short distance and then
freeze in place. If the danger to the young persists or
As
man
is
common among
the
more cosmopolitan
of owls,
is
Prairie Falcon or
Hawk or harassed by
On the whole, however,
Red-shouldered
flammeus
as
to pester
it,
despite
the fact that during the nesting season this owl will prey
upon a
not,
if
certain
there
Owl
eared
is
number
of smaller birds.
More
an incident of harassment,
itself
that
is
age
is
it
amid dried cattail reeds, meadow grasses, weedfield growth, and the like. In addition, this owl has an
amazing facility for alighting on a short, projecting
branch close to the ground or water and so effectively
molding its body to the configuration of the wood that
may
onto
its
its
side
and
lie
and
completely
is
attack,
still
an inclination
it
intruder, causing
him
to flinch in
The
is
an
effort to
ward
off
and
at a
away for about 100 feet before landing and voicing the
same anguished cries again. The wings are left open
and flapping weakly as a further enticement to the in-
sits
it
will
the Short-
it is
at-
often than
or vulture.
a major
may
may
to
flop over
grounded
sail
bird,
which time the adult will fold first one wing, then
the other, take off in low flight to the ground for about
another 100 feet, and repeat the act. Sometimes when
the adult drops toward the intruder from its 50-foot
at
height,
it
will
loudness as
it
clap
falls.
its
If
it
it
is
attracting
Short-eared
Owl
89
food
favorite
course, mice
of
primarily
the
Short-eared
meadow
Owl
Mice
voles.
The most commonly observed hunting method favored by the Short-eared Owl is a low, ranging pattern
marsh
and deep
fringes
air silently as
listens
it
and
may
fluttering
last for
a minute before
raising
its
wings high to
The
level of
winter
in
ground,
hunting
than
owl tends
this
flight
is
to
is
done
prey,
its
to grasp.
in late af-
somewhat higher
usually
When snow
summer.
in
of half
covers
the
it
as
it
utiliz-
when
and takes
handled.
in practically
It
flammeus
game
is
during
Quail,
occasional
baby owls;
if
large chunks
Short-eared
example,
down
Then
feet,
turning
its
and
post,
side to side as
will alight
it
manner and
zigzag once
forth as
its
for
holding
it
talons
sparrows,
kinglets,
meadowlarks, and
red-winged
grackles,
sapsuckers,
flickers,
terns.
other small
blackbirds,
Bats are
flight,
roaches,
mammals
cowbirds,
caught,
frequently
katydids, and
Mice and numerous
grasshoppers,
rabbits,
rats,
sit
hurried
it
it listens and
on an open-ground
hummock, or even bare ground
head from
rail,
into
five to thirty
a black
with
Among
ins
crickets,
from
snipe,
for the young, they are torn into bits to be fed to the
with consummate
at heights of
pheasants,
size
rails,
times
young
prey expands
which can be
this
birds.
anything of a
all
there are
spill
feet well
its
it
upward
a few seconds or
of
is,
constitute
Pellet regurgitation
undue
effort;
is
seem-
with one or
grasses
wherever
the
bird
perched.
is
Fecal
before
it
moment
rises clear of
thickets, heavily
overgrown willow
On
occasion
it
will alight
has seen a rat or mouse pop into a hole and will stand
up
its
smaller prey
Most
mice
it
there.
Almost
90
is
all
is
in
North America
is
more
snatches
without
fre-
is
even
some convenient
the ground and devouring
animal
close to
prey
patience that
often, however,
in particular
with a
to
all
owl
The
Short-eared
Owl
in particular preys
Short-eared
as
would
Owl
well
result.
as
those
of
other
mice,
great
economic
the male leveled off at great speed just above the reed-
tops,
The
courtship flight of the male Asio flammeus flammeus, usually occurring in late April or early May, is one
of the most spectacular
The
individual,
who
is
among
wonderment
as the
variations each
quences
will
It
Owl
Short-eared
female,
all
rising
came
became more
calling
and
faintly to us.
all
Gradually the
pattern
a steep
upward
his beak.
him when
The female
moment
Copulation evidently
made
female
the
pleted,
regained
her
feet,
as
it
was com-
shook
herself,
off, flying
low over
The male
followed
close behind.
monotoned
flight
still
if
It
sideslipping maneuvers,
female,
all
more
times with
ally
aerial acrobatics
without them
more
or,
likely,
with an abbrevi-
There
good reason to believe that once a pair have mated,
they remain mated for life and stay reasonably close
is
to
ANNUAL BROODS,
NEST,
NESTING HABITS
meet.
series of
wild
maneu-
on jerky wingbeats that seemingly were almost out of control, during which the male bird fell,
recovered, tumbled in an amazing series of somersaults
and roll-overs, and finally dropped in a flaccid and
formless fall as if the bird had been struck dead in
mid-flight. Recovering itself after a drop of at least two
hundred feet, the bird returned to its former peak altitude, circled once very widely, and then dropped in a
long swooping dive punctuated all the way down with
wing clapping and a most peculiar chattering cry
verings
The
it.
closer the
southerly
Owl
is
essentially single-brooded
and almost invariably nests upon the ground. Most often the nest is no more than a slight depression in a
little rise
will
even dig
slant
for
for another
which
Short-eared
Owl
is
its
perhaps
feet,
two or three
usually a bit
feet,
goes
down
at
moves horizontally
ending in a small chamber
then
tunnel.
padding of some
and a few feathers, from about 9 to 12 inches
diameter, and up to two inches thick. Most com-
The
grasses
in
is
if
sometimes small
nest construction
more commonly,
It
sticks
virtue,
is
normally
example,
Owl.
other
affect
built.
owl
nesting
species.
are
that
for
Fire,
Short-eared
constructed
in
meadow
farmers.
month move
tides of the
est
bogs
salt
in,
Whenever. a
nest
a second nesting
usually with
initial
is
is
amdng
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
nesting.
It
44.5
33.0
width:
37.6
width:
29.0
if
the nest
The
Interval of egg-laying
(1.8")
(1.3")
(1.5")
(1.1")
upward
week
of a
of eggs.
Egg-laying dates
ear-
liest,
is
will
short distance
sit
on a raised
and will
The male
on the
may hop
and
re-
mostly this
is
will
sometimes aid
egg-laying,
some
may
be
As few
laid,
laid.)
as four
and
as
Color
In most cases,
never
is
less
it
than
many
is
it
is
is
is
time
laid.
period
per nesting
but
is
as fourteen eggs
the brooding,
is
EGGS
in
Number
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
will
and run
length:
length:
substantiated, that
off
with
little,
decomposing
bits of
detect.
to
smooth,
quite
is
difficult
surface
shell
Size
The
Texture
it
egg
first
under conditions of extreme danger from natural hazards such as fire or flood, or at the direct-line approach
of
an enemy such
enemy
is
as
encounter the
nest.
of a bluish tinge.
LIFE
CHARACTERISTICS
The
ally
Short-eared
interval
Owl
it
may
be as
is
usu-
little
as
93
brown
plumage,
rusty buff.
the
tail
pays
The wing
is
a long,
still
well feathered
is
broadly
feather
feathers have
tipped
with
with
The down
of the under-
soft,
back
its
each
brown.
the nest
itself.
until the
young bird
is
six
weeks
old.
young bird
is
capable of short
flight
but continues to
culty in
with food.
It
is
#rcpK
own food
principally
insects
SHORT-EARED OWL
Asio flammeus flammeus (Pontoppidan'
their first-winter
plumage.
a secondary
down
down
starts
being replaced by
is
generally long,
but the
first
soft,
is
about
six
Falls),
Missouri,
southern
New York
Illinois
(Circleville)
(Brockport, Buffalo),
(Odin),
,
New
northJersey
on the
inches in
By the tenth day the young are quite active and have
if danger nears, and even
to feign
death if the hazard grows worse. By the twelfth or
thirteenth day the nestling has reached about ten
94
Neosho
the bird
length.
learned to freeze
of
in color;
initially
Keewatin
District
in
loose
first
sachusetts,
(Cape Sable)
Casual in Greenland (north to Upernavik District),
Bermuda, Cuba, and Guatemala (Volcan de Agua).
Accidental on St. Bartholemew.
Short-eared
Owl
MIGRATION
Only
eared
in
migrational
slightly
Owl
in
its
the
Short-
to
move southward
to escape the
It
does not like to remain in areas where the snow completely covers the grass
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
may
occasionally be seen in
There can be no doubt whatever, despite its tendkill some game birds and songbirds during its
a score or
more
is
not
uncommon,
corded
in
some
Long
years
years, but
is
certainly a powerful
migrations
if
it
so desires, as
enough
is
flier to
make long
evidenced by
its
casual
ency to
in
its
is
of in-
reduction of
injurious rodents,
cent of
Short-eared
man
Owl
its
total diet
95
macjarlanei (Brewster)
MACFARLANE'S
SCREECH OWL
maxwelliae (Ridgway)
ROCKY
MOUNTAIN
SPECIES
SCREECH OWL
mccallii
ORDER:
STRIGIFORMES
FAMILY:
STRIGIDAE
GENUS:
Otus Pennant
SPECIES:
asio
swenki Oberholser
NEBRASKA
SCREECH OWL
yumanensis Miller
YUMA SCREECH
OWL
and Miller
EASTERN
SCREECH OWL
aikeni (Brewster)
AIKEN'S
SCREECH OWL
Linnaeus
brewsteri
Ridgway
CALIFORNIA
SCREECH OWL
BREWSTER'S
SCREECH OWL
cineraceus (Ridgway^
floridanus (Ridgway)
gilmani Swarth
MEXICAN
SCREECH OWL
FLORIDA
SCREECH OWL
inyoensis Grinnell
HASBROUCK'S
SCREECH OWL
quality
96
Unfortunately there
is
still
great contention
among
how many
subspe-
overlooked and
lumped together under one
nomenclature. At the same time, there are
lar
birds
tions
all
branded
quite simisubspecific
those fac-
as "hairsplitters,"
entirely right
ble
is
really
determination
of
subspecific difference
is
still
is
time as
new standards
by
factions
Owl
nor,
what actually
very
much
sensi-
constitutes
needed.
valid
great deal
SCREECH OWL
all
wrong
KENNICOTT'S
Screech
who
of effort
(Elliot)
(Linnaeus)
more
Neither group
SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA
SCREECH OWL
kennicottii
asio
SAGUARO
SCREECH OWL
hasbroucki Ridgway
Otus
SOUTHERN
SCREECH OWL
bendirei (Brewster)
GUADALUPE
SCREECH OWL
Moore
suttoni
(Linnaeus)
naevius (Gmelin)
PASADENA
SCREECH OWL
quercinus Grinnell
SUBSPECIES
asio
TEXAS
SCREECH OWL
(Cassin)
of
are established
the
ornithological
and adhered
fraternity,
to
the
American Ornithological
Union seem
This
men
eminent
shall,
taxonomical
in the
University
the
of
Jr.,
probably justifiably
Otus
fications in respect to
Arizona
Marshall
shrift.
concerned
Joe T. Mar-
field as
of
Tucson,
at
greatly
is
vocal
in
nomy
might better be
or
There
among
muted
is
Otus flammeolus
well in
as
the most
asio
territory
limited,
gives
asio
seven
or
notes.
is
the smallest,
the largest.
is
more
Finally,
Of
issues
and
vocal
decidedly slower,
utters
physiog-
distinct
Otus
these
trichopsis
The
asio
and hardwoods
generally at
of habitat
creek
the
much
from
bottoms
East,
at
West
hardwood
lands,
and hammock,
oak,
live
to forested
forests
for
example
there
among
of territorial overlap
interbreeding.
ences
as
irides
and
meolus
There
brown and
The problem
for
Owl
the
quality
Owl
Screech
But
races.
just as
Marshall urges a
classification of Eastern
feel
the Northern
and Southern
about
strongly
separating
re-
of Screech
and
races,
those
still
others feel
and humid
arid
of
areas.
What
cies classifications
distinctly different
seem
fact
are,
Otus
asio
The
exceptions are
Western
For example,
races.
Kennicott's
kennicottii
Owl
Screech
of
and red color phase of the Eastern races, but its voice
and markings are typically Western. Similarly, Otus
has the markasio mccallii
the Texas Screech Owl
color phase,
red
lacks
a
ings of the Western races and
but its voice and beak color are like those of the
Eastern races.
To compound
some of the
races
tend to interbreed and there are considerable gradations in size, coloration, markings, and tonal qualities
among
the
establish
intergrades.
subspecific
To make any
nomenclature for
real
all
to
effort
these
inter-
Generally
speaking,
subspecies of Otus
ical
and climatic
with
few
but
exceptions,
the
characteristics:
Finer markings.
Larger
Smaller
Yellow or greenish-yellow
to question in
grows much
instance
in size.
strongly
believe
beaks.
regard to the
more
that
of
races of East
in size.
right.
Screech
trilled
Coarser markings.
of classification, however,
being a sort of
as
iris
in
races
will
own
and open
difficult
of
Eastern
the
of
of flam-
more
all
certain
considerably
well;
is
is
in
cabbage-palm
or
zona,
is
in
is
three differ
conifers
differ
races.
trill
only six
of
trill
species.
differ-
voice to an extended,
three
the
quite
is
through
through
than
characteristics
coloration.
difference
classified
races
Western
cases,
Eastern
istic
many
into
reclassification
is
classi-
in
distinct species
of the
and
Genus Otus.
There are presently three Otus species recognized in
North America north of Mexico. Most abundant, of
the Screech Owls. But
course, are the Otus asio races
there is also Otus trichopsis, the present Whiskered
Owl, which was for so long referred to as the Spotted
Screech Owl; as well as Otus flammeolus, now known
as the Flammulated Owl, which was previously called
the
two
One
this
to be the best.
is
At
rate species.*
Joe
the
so distinct in
Screech
Owl
97
trill.
'Number
and a
erally
kennicottii (16)
235.6
8.3
O.
a.
macfarlanei (11)
227.4
8.0
O.
a.
swenki (6)
225.6
7.9
no red-phase
O.
a.
brewsteri
222.5
7-8
O.
a.
maxwelliae (12)
219.7
7.7
O.
a.
quercinus
(5)
216.3
7.6
O.
a.
bendirei
(10)
215.5
7-5
O.
a.
naevius
(55)
205.5
7- 2
O.
a.
inyoensis
(5)
204.1
7.1
O.
a.
hasbroucki (7)
199.3
7.0
O.
a.
suttoni
19 1.2
6.7
O.
a.
asio
185.7
6.5
18 1.7
6.4
bird.
more
coloration
subtle
(14)
(2)
(20)
O.
a.
mccallii
O.
a.
aikeni
O.
a.
floridanus
the
O.
a.
cineraceus
O.
a.
O.
a.
yumanensis (3)
gilmani (2)
fer
to
included
as
traits,
Ornithological
and valid
(with
Union
this
but
two exceptions)
Committee
Check-list
in
as distinct
many
180.3
6.3
(17)
167.4
5-9
(5)
166.1
5.8
164.7
5.8
58-5
5-6
(2)
(12)
subspecies.
Naturally,
included
subspecies
Therefore,
here.
ex-
to
major
characteristics will be discussed under the heading of
the most familiar subspecies, Otus asio naevius
the
Eastern Screech Owl. Other subspecies will be described in detail only insofar as they differ from Otus
press
following
Ounces
a.
Paler,
Screech Owls
parentheses
O.
and markings.
Humid Region
in
Grams
Subspecies
distinct red-phase
bird.
weighed
specimens
of
lames)
yet
succinctly,
all
SCIENTIFIC
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
asio naevius.
Otus
Strix
(Number
of
NAME AND
following
naevius
Volume
1,
Former
names)
asio
names: Scops
scientific
asio,
Megascops
asio,
Millimeters
Subspecies
g8
O.
a.
kennicottii
O.
a.
brewsteri
O.
a.
O.
a.
macfarlanei (24)
swenki (11)
O.
a.
quercinus
O.
a.
bendirei
O.
a.
(16)
(16)
(9)
(19)
O.
a.
maxwelliae (15)
yumanensis (6)
O.
a.
naevius
O.
a.
cineraceus
O.
a.
inyoensis
O.
a.
O.
O.
O.
(87)
601.
Inches
23.7
599-8
23.6
5857
23.1
574-3
22.6
573.
572.8
22.6
558.8
22.0
554
21.8
551.3
21.7
Eastern Screech
Among
1.2
21.7
5387
21.2
hasbroucki (9)
536-5
a.
aikeni
533-4
21.0
a.
asio
53
1.9
21.0
a.
mccallii
53
20.9
(12)
(9)
(15)
(28)
(5)
55
.4
a.
floridanus
59-7
20.1
O.
a.
gilmani (4)
486.1
19.2
O.
a.
suttoni
480.7
18.9
(4)
No
common
demon owl
.1
O.
(21)
OTHER NAMES
22.6
Since
its
call
in
a darkening woods
dusk owl
it
is
most
often seen.
ghost owl
For
its
silent,
Screech
Owl
owl
gray
it
le petit-duc de l'est
Owl
wilsonianus)
(-4.no otus
horned owl
little
it
Habits
contrast, because of
miniature,
in
owl
it
gives of hav-
name which
most favors.
it
is
actually
Rank
over-all
in
owl
From
quality
more ap-
far
red-phase
the
of
Old World
the
scientific
nomen-
clature.
cause "shivers"
ability to
size
among
the
dis-
"eared"
disks,
is
eighteen
super-
one of
species:
Next to the Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus ac adiwhich has no ear tufts, the Screech Owl is the
call; 2,
its
among
bird.
scops
are a very
smallest
ciliaries,
when perched,
because of
superstitious
its
people
is
at
It
is
readily identifiable
despite
ance considerably
its
ability to
and well-fluffed, with the plumand with the ear tufts usually raised
or half-raised. If there is cause for apprehension, however (though sometimes for no apparent reason), the
owl can elongate its perched body until it has stretched
upward nearly half again its normal perched height,
with the usual bulkiness of the body narrowing proportionately to a startling thinness. At such times the
plumage is held tightly against the body and, with
ear tufts erect, the bird becomes remarkably well camouflaged as a stub of branch an aspect heightened
by eyes squinted to mere slits on a slightly diagonal
this
coloration
the
the
eus)
After
is
SHAPE AT REST
red
It
its
call
Its
Great
the
to
its
is.
characteristic.
little
quavering owl
it
Characteristics.)
flat
tinguishing
Horned Owl.
mouse owl
and
somehow
Twelfth.
As a
resemblance
superficial
3,
small,
bird.
of
General
(See
audacity.
Though indeed
owl
is
short, thick,
feet
plane.
called
mere
to
slits.
trilling
owl
whistling owl
SHAPE IN FLIGHT
its call.
its
call.
This
is
flight
it
head tucked
and broad wings, the
in,
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
tail,
Owl
and
in their habits
more
strictly
characteristics.
They
much
quite
Vision.)
It
is
and
Eyes
(See
is
all
first
four
the Great
if
wildcat."
cause, despite
Otus
This
its
is
small
Horned Owl
Owl
reasonable
size,
it
is
is
the
the "feath-
comparison be-
asio
when
hours of night.
It
FLIGHT PATTERN
the owl
flies
uncanny
ability,
When
is
it
through heavy
mercury-vapor
Eastern Screech
Owl
forest cover
and with
lights
which
the
attract
it
so fre-
glow of isolated
numerous
insects,
99
BEAK LENGTH
becomes very jerky but extremely maneuverand in masterful fashion it plucks moths, flying
beetles, and other insects out of mid-air.
Measurements have been based on 87 measured birds
38 males and 49 males.
its
flight
able,
mm.
0.6'
(
Male
Average
15.2
Minimum
Maximum
14.0
Rank
in
mm.
mm.
mm.
16.6
Female
(0.6")
15.4
(0.6")
14.9
(0.7")
18.8
mm.
mm.
mm.
(0.6")
(0.6")
(0.7")
WEIGHT
Species average: 204.1 gr. (7.1 oz.)
Male
1998
gr.
(7.0 oz.)
208.3 g r
(7-3
oz.)
Minimum
Maximum
166.0 gr.
(5.8 oz.)
174-5 g r
(6-
oz.)
212.5 gr.
(7.4 oz.)
Rank
in
The
mm.
209.2
Minimum
Maximum
176.3
Rank
233.2
in total
Female
mm.
mm.
mm.
length
(8.2")
233.0
(7.0")
195-2
mm.
mm.
7.7")
(9.2")
264.4
mm
I0 4")
among
9.2")
Markedly convex
Owl
mm.
Average
539-5
Minimum
Maximum
479-7
Rank
in
568.5
mm.
mm.
mm.
(21.3")
563.0
(18.9")
499.8
617.2
(22.4")
Screech
seemingly impossible
(21.7").
Male
WINGSPAN
Species average: 551.3
The
(8.7").
Male
Average
TOTAL LENGTH
Species average: 221.1
tarsi
among
weight
TALONS
LEGS, FEET,
Female
Average
positions.
The
Female
mm.
mm.
mm.
(22.2")
late twilight,
(19.7")
(24.3")
is
mere pinpoints
and expanding on the darkest
yellow
man
Male
Average
163.8
Minimum
Maximum
"54-9
Rank
in
174-0
mm.
mm.
mm.
166.4
(6.1")
156.2
(6.9")
177-8
mm
darkness,
it
if,
Female
(6.5")
;6. 5 ")
nearly blinded
in
mm.
iris
included
(6.6")
mm.
mm.
its
(6.2")
ears
(7.0")
work
The
eyes
and
TAIL LENGTH
autumn
were on a
when
field
observa-
mm.
Male
Average
80.6
Minimum
Maximum
75.1
Rank
86.1
in tail
mm.
mm.
mm.
length
(3.2")
88.8
(3.0")
80.5
(34")
among
(3.3").
95.5
oak stump as
nearly
mm.
mm.
mm.
(3.5")
and the
(3.2")
(3.8")
enth.
100
flat
Female
Screech
Owl
correctly
artist
as
made
possible,
*J&jAa
*
c\(\vJs a
fe (yi*
end
bones ^ehC
OsS)0
^^
& Q^
y/,^
f.oe5
04
TV ^ on e
foU
ncl
>
Two
and
The
superb and a
vital factor in
accuracy the
location
strictly
nocturnal
Screech
Owl
Because
prey.
of
auditory
the
habits,
of
more
its
sense
the
of
is
Owl (Tyto
alba pratin-
cola)
ginianus)
The
vir-
size.
still
when
Barred
Owl
Owl
the
being tended.
is
is
Northern
capable of rendering,
monest
call
is
the
muted
trill
The
identified.
it
The
may
They
when
are
the bird
is
perched, though
in flight
plumage
is
The
appear-
soft
ance, though
There
about
plumage beginning
finished by no later than
a complete molt of
is
late July.
This molt
is
is
more
MOLT
characteristic of the bird.
imparts
all
call.
This sound
sometimes
beginning
may
vary by as
Another
common
much
utterances,
common
final
notes
call,
call
The
cry.
is
itself
It
is
common
higher)
mid-November.
note
VOICE
A
by labeling
it
stretch of the
its
call
by no
is
it
is
quite
which
is
It
is
a mellow,
muted
Western
much
trill
the
Owl
less
races
of
Otus
asio,
however,
call.
there
In
is
at
twilight
is
nary ventriloquial delivery. One may be actually watching the bird doing the calling and yet still be almost
convinced that the sound is coming from another owl
call
may be
given in a
to
number
three-second quavering
sidered
a screech,
call
of
the
xxv
xxvi
silent
when
02
when
Screech
Num-
ber 373-D
Screech Owl.
hunting, feeding, and engaged in other activities, there
373-H
Owl
%J? .?**
whole blends
With extreme
rarity
there
another
is
which
call
cry itself
softly
is
not
known why
this call
is
is
a rather
rises to
piercing cry.
The
calls
heard
in late
are most
adults.
KEEEERR-R-
It
continues as the
to
another until
The
first
that of a
the
shell
its
chick
little
querulous peeping
lost
much
weeks of
calls,
cal
Where
las:s as
call
is
life.
ending, another
is
issued
as
enough
in tone
is
if
not give this cry, the parent returning with food ignores
it
and
parents return.
is
Most often the Eastern Screech Owl restricts its calling to the period between sunset and an hour after full
mally
On
it
may
call
its
sparingly
it
a strange
humming sound
is
fed.
nor-
is
silent.
is
and
SEXUAL DIFFERENCES:
SIZE, COLORATION, VOICE
mainly
silent.
is
dichromatic,
female
parent birds.
characteristic sounds
made by
The
first
is
way a
The second
sound,
is
made by
Otus
asio
signifies anger.
is
10,
1971.
Not
Two
miles northwest of
is
easily located
in
is
known
Some
incidence of canni-
where the youngest bird is too small to compete successfully with its older and often much larger siblings.
Brownsville,
a bit
XXVIII
is
balism
XXVn
no
this
in
sexual difference.
haphazardly in
is
when
9,
1910.
The
incidence of cannibalism
is
Eastern Screech
Owl
103
tinct
coloration,
when
in actuality the
genetically permanent.
On
so-called
facial
The upper
"phase"
is
is
band
crossed by a vague
of lighter buff-colored
occasionally
which
is
of
similar
and these
unmarked
dull
The
nape
coloration
triangular spots of
throat
band
another
has
boldly cross-hatched
with
irregular
breast
is
and
stripes
When
phase.
it
is
has
it
Owl was
where a
captured, caged,
is
if
true,
it
is
this
red.
there
is
and
is
Between the
The
larly placed.
sides of the
ways has a
may
The beak
al-
range from a
yellow
grayish
green.
The
a
cere
distinct
is
dull
gray,
The
yellowness.
The webs
of the outer-
quills.
gray streakings.
The
are
sides
derpays.
This
white.
The
tail coverts.
belly
and
is
light
brown on
these under-
narrow black bars and with the center feathershaft streaks of the same, these often expanding into
irregular
conspicuous
rusty-edged
spots
at
the
On
sides.
the
and
tips.
is
In this color
is
basi-
superciliaries
black-shafted.
brown
in a
The
narrow
facial
line
104
rim
is
black
distinctly
or very
are
lores
dark
tuft,
en-
brown
the gray or
tend to be
less
phase bird.
without black.
The
is
streakings
Facial
disks
are
usually
replaced by
and
all
in the gray-
plain
rufous of
The
white.
Screech
Owl
The markings
of
the
underparts in
the
red-
less intricate in
and the
cross-hatching,
is
JUVENILE
Gray Phase
overcast
Wings and
The upperparts
are
Many
indistinctly barred
The underparts
this
age there
is
adults.
Red Phase
adults.
suddenly zoomed
tion.
one
this
in rufescent
to get inside.
creature
Owl
has been
known
to attack
Owl
and drive
all this,
in fact,
is,
disposition
by an intruder
it
more noted
than for
may snap
its
its
for
its
ferocity.
If
beak in a most
species are audacious in the extreme. It will not hesitate to attack a bird,
To
thing.
it
startled
CHARACTERISTICS
naevius
same
gentle.
asio
the
ordinarily
Otus
did
his
Owl and
phase
residence,
tionate
riding about on a
much
own heads
scratched or their
human companion.
its
,
and
it
geons.
insufficient
is
kill
it,
and
eat
it.
Along with
very often
its
incredibly
audacious.
In
in
is
cited by
North Amer-
case
in Life Histories of
Owl
make frequent
They
are
known
times resulted
It
comes
as
in the
live in
On more
reasonable
bathe
for
deep water.
something of a surprise
to
their
an Eastern
compartment in
a purple martin house. The martins continue to come
and go and even raise their own families in the comneighbors.
Screech
Owl
than
one occasion
its
nest a
Mendham, New
the chimney of a
The instinct for protection of her young is pronounced in Otus asio naevius. In one case where a female's mate and eggs were destroyed, she simply moved
farther up the tree to a hollow being used by flickers as
a nest. Inside were four baby flickers not long out of
Eastern Screech
Owl
'5
to feed their
in the
The
fact
that
the
owl's
and
it
eyeballs
are
must turn
its
rather
firmly
whole head
to
widespread
is
The
erroneous belief
that
is
if
an abundant
roost,
Where
and
its
is concerned,
more often than not
naevius prefers a natural hollow in a large
roosting
Otus
asio
tree.
Abandoned
flicker holes
it can be
content in a hollow behind the loose siding of some
is;
which
cavities
this
owl con-
siders to be ideal.
walk around the owl, the head of the bird will continue
to circle with him until it will eventually become un-
screwed and
off
fall off,
whereupon
its
occurs
is
that
absurd.
is
What
Then,
actually
circle
until
dead
around below,
remain locked on the intruder
circle.
fall
an
280
eye, the
of
the
head
will
is
performed that
the observer
it is
easily missed,
to
so, if
so swiftly
completely around
without pause.
The
ability of the
seem
it
and
owl
to swivel or
cock
its
tree. If
is
it
hardwood
trees
Eastern Screech
Owl
prefers oak
from
When
low as 5
feet to as high as
50
feet.
may
be from as
The same
roosts are
The
Owl
Eastern Screech
favors an
when
this
is
open-woodland
adjacent to grain-
its
ing winter
it
it
may have
regularly uses in
normally confines
itself
to
roosts.
On
occasion,
when
the weather
is
fair
and shows
is
quite
common
to see these
them
in large cities
road tracks or in
ally
city parks.
tracks. Occasionally
106
one
Such
trees,
is
all
will roost in a
been broken
rail-
Owl
Screech
Owl (Otus
asio kennicottii)
is
more
the
in
is
and can be
when
owl
at such times
of
toll
Now
much
enemy
Horned Owl is
ter.
to en-
so
si-
so swiftly
ness.
Overestimating
Owl
will
own
its
ability, the
Eastern Screech
be handled well.
stricts its
prey
snake
If the
say
is
manages
it
throw a
to
is
and
in
or two
coil
almost sure to
mob
of
ble to attack
to
harboring
fleas
and bird
lice
among
The
individual owl
may
is
difficult
tionally
motivated by a
difficult
time
not
uncommon
some of the
active
when
well hidden in
hawk does
the
its
kill
when
the
is
its
it
prey
more the
ex-
mainly nocturnal
to roost
hawk
will fall
far
is
is
is
and
itself
The
as
have been
less
than definitive.
it is
say very
many
are
species,
deliberately
is
man. This
with
slain
is
Owl,
not to
guns
(al-
killed this
fatalities.
Because of the
its
is
an open invitation
little
heed
and
to
upon
in-
its
approaching vehicles
killed.
any Screech
to
and
is
made
many
years
bird
When
ern Screech Owls are the bird species second most fre-
usually because
is
roost
active.
and
is
seeking
another haven.
108
Owl
Owl
it
such occurs,
possible. If
owl,
itself
is
finding
is
is
upon the
making the bird less able to elude its enemies and
thus more subject to predation. Diseases do kill some, but
of these creatures
upon
The danger
inadvertently encroach
and a variety of
in flight
Screech
Owl
pavement with
its
prey.
flies
has been
by the bright
blinded
partially
because
is
it
and
lights
Time
lights pass.
too,
number
est
comes
is
makes a
difference,
The
concerned.
is
great-
of Screech
and winter,
And, for
in late fall
it
of year obviously
scarce.
all
Where
defense
is
animal
has
an eye
lost
Owl
intruder
human
in the process,
as well
as
and
camouflage
ability to
normal
fluffed
In an instant
of branch.
it
enemy
made
illusion,
roost or nest
When
attacks, the
it
little
itself closely
pose.
resemble a stub
of
its
its
The
is
present.
is
prey
is
small enough,
it
will either
be quickly
beak
bird's
in the
to be
is
has
its
in
lies
bird particularly,
greatest defense
itself
The gray-phase
its
its
succession of places
plum-
when
only
it
is
beak.
an
Only when the bird be-
come very
intruder to
close.
autumn-touched hardwood,
ble.
it
is
more
easily detecta-
Now
and then a strongly defensive posture will be assumed on the perch, wherein
the bird turns one side or the other of its body toward
the intruder, snaps its beak menacingly, glares fiercely,
and lowers and outstretches the wing facing the intruder in order to cover and protect the vulnerable
breast and abdomen.
Most often, though, Otus asio naevius spends its daypredicate immediate
light
flight.
threatens,
it
if
danger
it
rectly to
it
it
flies
di-
full
fall
just at
eats
depends largely
is
small rodents
chiefly the
meadow
vole,
number
of
fish,
am-
and small birds. In a survey conducted by John and Frank Craighead in Michigan,
during the years 1942 and 1948, it was determined that
the meadow vole and white-footed mouse alone comprised, respectively in those years, 95.3 per cent and
phibians,
reptiles,
fish,
flight,
else.
them
Owl
prey
thing
it.
times catching
dusk but
Owl
Eastern Screech
Owl
109
each
in turn to
nearby apple
its
tree.
rictal bristles
portion of the
nasal
rictal bristles
perform the
owl's
means
theorized, though by no
It is
facial
disks
as
the
little
goatsuckers.
and
These,
Owl's
Usually
avidly.
when
diet,
when
occurs in winter
this
terrestrial
known
quail,
it
certainly
to kill
woodcock
sparrow hawk.
to kill a
of the species.
18
May
large
cutworms;
large
13
beetles;
in
in
a third
of
As a matter of
ing
Owl
cies
Owl
the Screech
will
At such a place
stand intently on the edge of the
ice.
its
swoop
much
talons
the
as
winter of 1877 an
in the
hollow of an
roosting
then
Eastern
horned pout,
was subsequently discovered that all the ponds in the immediate area were
frozen fast and under two feet of snow as well, but at a
Screech
inside a total of 16
still
alive.
It
For those 16
fish in its
owl had
little
fact,
50 medium-sized grasshoppers!
as
life
Otus
in the
asio.
more
heavily
grass-blades.
now and
lines,
has been
it
again the
little
owl
re-
will
just
Eastern Screech
lar,
Owl
among
depredations
birds can
swallowing them.
smaller
depreda-
this
tion
is
the
The
ornithologist,
in
Owls brought
that
a pair of Eastern
Screech
The
least
98
until left
fair
number
will
at
snakes and
Once
times and
10
some
lizards
though fewer
limited
caught
to
just
small
after
kill
and
eat.
Rather,
is
it
even
much
larger.
large
As already mentioned,
Screech
life
included
in
the
is
it
merely representative
from stomach
however, provide
Mammals Wood rats, Norway rats, house rats, cotrats, meadow voles, white-footed mice, chipmunks,
ton
gophers,
flying
squirrels,
Insects
crickets,
horseflies,
pillars,
Birds
Beetles,
mantids,
lish
moths,
noctuid
cicadas,
and other
Downy
horned
woodpeckers,
wood pewees,
larks,
sparrows,
kingbirds,
pigeons,
blackbirds,
cow-
Eng-
starlings,
juncos,
Owl
locusts,
phoebes, grouse,
ens,
roaches,
etc
grasshoppers,
katydids,
as itself or
1
in
too,
be devoured.
The
animal
dred."
sunset.
of
in the nest
list
1924
will
listed
following
species,
species,
ducks,
Minnows
Fish
various
of
small
species,
trout,
He may
stay silently in
Small
Reptile
snakes,
small
lizards,
soft-shelled
When
Amphibians
Various
frog
including
species,
bull-
Invertebrates
sundown
Crayfish,
scorpions,
spiders,
snails,
animals
cludes
is
how
it
sizable
as
up
be eaten
portions
of
the
The
into
prey
are
else
ex-
become
The
pellets.
dark gray
to
woo
do
so,
he shows
her.
com-
is
of pellets
number
tree
is
regular
of pellets found
is
not
Only
fall
they
that
so
fall
directly
beneath the
is
curate
statistical
listings
highly impor-
what
Numerous ac-
species in determining
prey
animals
comprising
and
The
white
fecal
marblings.
usually squirted
on
his perch.
He may
go
in
and out
may be
to act as
if
she
wholly unaware of
is
his
roost.
still
pellets
number
fur,
in color
droppings.
to
This
Some
mind
to
undigestible materials
oval-shaped
tight,
in-
or
body or
rats,
size,
half
in
swallowed
this in-
small
sparrow in
torn
is
and
mice,
large
as
to English
if
will
sects,
tree
his
lowed whole,
quently while
making up
turtles.
All
at last
where she
now
is
perched.
He
in
long,
slow winks.
All
this
the
The more
more
and bowings. At
the
become
frantic
this
his
and
actions,
may
cease.
She
her,
flight.
The
Owls be-
late
January.
The male
her
fly
past while he
is
At
last,
all
else
having
failed, the
male
settles
down
He
fluffs
his
feathers,
Eastern Screech
his
Owl
beak
is
lost
from
sight,
and
sits
there
for-
111
ANNUAL BROODS,
and
moment
NEST,
NESTING HABITS
of acceptance or
catapult
swiftly
in
follow.
If,
which
always
practically
is
and
raises
at
him
the
then
directly,
she
sidles
her
turns
over to
sit
Immediately he perks up
as possible.
Sometimes
head.
his
case
their
briefly,
touch
beaks
will
other's
Owl mates
ern Screech
from
continue
This
for
Their relationship
life.
on
point
this
not to
is
killed,
herself
until
however,
imply,
will
broken by death.
that
if
remain
will
Even
in fall
vicinity.
If
it
this
is
first
majority of cases,
not important
is
return
year.
If
In
Eastern
the
Owl
Screech
chooses
first
other
after
the
if
raised
likely
is
mated and
(see
owl
for the
consider using
to
as
it
For ex-
nest.
will
it
Most preferred
sky.
be a hole
it
an opening
is
where
will
it
The
size of
open-
Courtship
is
phase of the
bird.
mate without
and there
distinction
is
It
seems
to
make no
difference
which sex
is
what
color
phase.
The
recorded
highest
Owl was 50
Screech
sycamore, but
it.
This
has
of activity
sort
the possibility of
is
it.
swiftly
and
in
relative
silence.
is
While the
is
it
Eastern
the
of
large
in
rare to find a
is
Florida Screech
(See
ground
Sometimes they
will
to
ground
Again,
level.
When
the nest
this
is
in a cavity of a
actually
below-
the exception.
is
performed
hole
above ground
although there
nestinsr
feet
this
wild,
destroyed.
is
is
ample,
one mate
made
owl
for the
clined
to
of
use a
it
is
Sometimes
hollow.
if
to enter.
protected
The owl
more
tends to be
in-
nest
if
tilts
on the floor
is
nesting
numerous
of it. In recent years the erection of
approximate
boxes for wood ducks boxes which well
has provided adea hollow in tree trunk or branch
tilts
quate nesting
beak and
usually
side.
and
His own lower body
in his
into
close
Immedi-
penis
maximum.
first
their
for
Fertilization
The
feathers.
more than
re-
if
although
they project
Artificial
nest
boards
old
barns,
of
buildings,
deserted
and
Whatever the
is
as well,
chosen as nesting
Owls
ten
Owl
in exactly the
attempt
is
made
may
hollow
site, it
is
be
that
is
ultimately
condition in which
it
is
found.
No
two weeks.
112
for Screech
sites
there
Screech
Owl
may
nest
the
eggs de-
March
Earliest,
not
relinquish
possession
May
18.
its
make
year,
Persistent
humans may
Owl abandon
hollow,
the
of
claim voluntarily.
it
stays,
not only
family the
its
known where
are
The
first
the
possibly
Owl
Eastern Screech
still
is
open
to question
is
is
away or the
driven
when
provided
lives,
it
it
will return to
it
is
not repeatedly
is
it
especially
in,
And
if
the hollow
is
per nesting
it
under
number
may
be a slight varia-
some
cases
naevius
is
Color
All Screech
Owl
number being
six
five.
Usu-
27.
ovoid,
but
more often
laid,
and
Texture
cases,
with the
smooth
shell
to the touch.
finely
On
in the majority of
is
more pronounced and the shell will feel
bumpy.
Size
From a measurement of 286 eggs, the average
length was 35.7 mm. (14") and the average width
was 29.9 mm. (1.2"). The extremes of the measured
ulation
faintly
upon conditions
it
when
incuba-
of incubation daily,
The
first
egg, as
we
in 31
The
hunting
is
well
known,
as
is
its
An
brooding eggs.
yet
more
this
bird
is
strangely docile
may
human who comes
incubating female
at
too close,
stolid
when
snap her
On many
their
lifted
and counted. As
The
and
eggs were:
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
length:
39.3
length:
28.5
width:
32.0
width:
28.5
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
(1.6")
(1.1")
(1.3")
(1.1")
elapses
this
beak threateningly
nearly globular.
first
afternoon of
ful
nest.
slightly
isn't all
of the
March
of
ing
until
authorities
but
It therefore
Number
it
Some
laid. It
is
EGGS
because
it
latest,
3;
will
ities
dates
and droppings.
Once
it
is
Egg-laying
to
posited there,
lets,
The
already be there.
owl makes
gun,
little will
Perhaps
Eastern Screech
Owl
this
discourage
is
it.
why
"3
female
refusing,
the
in
It
so.
she
briefly
mainly
the male
He
practically
of
On
any
for
settles
leave
will
bathe in
is
responsibility as she,
is
simply a matter of
is
face
that
though he
so little of the
is
him
Of
aside.
course,
as
has
many
times happened,
human
wearing
babies
downward
ing
easily
hollow to become so
filthy.
The
and
the
of wastes,
no better
their
own
after
become
hatching,
a foul
since
place indeed.
the
It
gets
heads
rips
it
meat and, herself, swallowing the residue of unThere is some indication, though no con-
digestibles.
the
the
few
first
become blood-stained.
processes of evacua-
tion
Their
days
It is this
if
to
selects a
and
so the
pajamas.
should she be killed while away from the nesting holeggs have hatched, then care for the young until they
fuzzy
By the end
the second
of
The
to shiver.
and frequency
is
until,
shivering increases in
may be
Screech Owl
constantly trembling. It
the
protection against the outside temperature. This trembling condition gradually abates until the end of the
LIFE
away from
food. Until the eggs hatch, the female eats only spar-
upperparts
commence hatching
in earnest, the
They
down
like
covers
all
hair than
//^
in
On
down
the
with
base,
this
downy plumage
grayish
sepia,
appearing.
white
toward
the
underparts
while
On
the
is
the
tips
are
and barred
gray
basically
young bird
will
now
their
new
pinfeathers have
tervals.
feathers.
latter
about
this
the mother
the nest.
is
when
together
tightly
is
the brooding
CHARACTERISTICS
coat of plumage
warmth beneath
ever,
new
minute
Screech
-k<t
DuPage County,
li<cl
Owl
from
southwest
densely
wooded
Bensenville,
Illinois,
in
life
<>f
Owls (Otus
asio naevius)
is
hooked
nose.
They
wound
upon
fall
the prey,
the
wounded
and devour
bird, pull
gone.
is
They
will
it
it.
The
be
all
red or
leave
the
will
hollow
nesting
enter,
lock his
enough,
large
is
talons
male
the
the
in
levels of
size
the interval
appearing rapidly,
the
the
is
begins
if
fifth
This
nest.
to rest
gray, or even
all
more
like
Markings:
until the
tail.
first
in
and
fol-
is
is
(see Coloration
and
bird
Juvenile)
scapulars,
the
first
summer.
The matter
of the
tree does
there as he sleeps.
first
feed-
p.m.
to
stages
of
life
out-of-the-nest
this
adults
the
togetherness,
them to
parents and
later
minishes.
as
few
as only 10 or 12 times,
many
By
di-
60 times in
own way,
ritories at
some
when
they
may
as
distance.
one
moths
and two
large
beetles.
alert,
lemon
and
yellow,
staring at each
young owl's
have become bril-
other
They
fledglings
the
and
are
their
are
quite
surroundings
now covered
with a
again.
The
/;6
third
covering
first pellets.
flight
feathers
begins
coming
Screech
Until they
become
when
the full
moon
after.
On
woods
Illinois,
as a first-winter Eastern
night
Screech
Owl made
three successive
time.
The
first
winter
is
apt
to
be a
difficult
time for
young owls that have not yet very well developed their hunting techniques and are more eager than skilled.
Owl
^ "*- n /
9
Elk!
y-^
^o, i?
/"
"
-^
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
Otus
game
damage
songbirds,
but the
enormous
the
number
of
birds,
it
benefit
it
jurious rodents
sanctuary,
clearly
insect pests.
for
detrimental, for
songbirds
that
are
will
it
themselves
make up
Screech
large
economically
On
Owl
is
numbers of
valuable
its
kill
are
asio naevius,
creatures
detrimental
distinctly
agricul-
turally.
Pellet
range
its
mammals and
is
game
birds,
such as
and
The comparative
Owl can best be
Screech
tical
information.
It
has
Otus
asio naevius
in prey daily
and
(Gmelin)
pest birds
been
many
starlings, blackbirds,
10.3
determined
its
statis-
that
this
summer
Owl
is
7.1
ounces,
this
means
that
pounds
(Che-
Owl must
it
be rated as
provide a real
it
explosions
forms
of
life
also acts as a
check on population
Like
all
is
is
in-
upset.
a vital link in
MIGRATION
Primarily
Screech
bird.
resident
Owl cannot
Eastern
within
its
range,
rightly
be
termed a migratory
the
of
the
winter
largely
and the
availability
of
prey.
XXIX
Otus
Kern County,
373-K
200 miles.
A.O.U. Check-list
118
Screech
XXX
Otus
Owl
asio suttoni
A.O.U. Number
XJll.yL~A>*'
AIKEN'S SCREECH
OWL
TOTAL LENGTH
SCIENTIFIC
Subspecies average
209.7
mm.
(8.3")
WINGSPAN
NAME AND
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
mm.
(21.0").
mm.
(6. 5").
OTHER NAMES
great plains screech
TAIL LENGTH
owl
After
geographical
its
distribution.
mm.
(3.5")
d' aiken
le petit-duc
BEAK LENGTH
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
smaller
Slightly
Owl (Otus
15.0
mm.
(0.6")
asio
HABITAT
Owl (Otus
more
general
in
or the
naevius)
asio
Eastern Screech
Subspecies average
cineraceus)
asio
Confined primarily
to the
streams.
The
blackish
what
less
numerous than
Aiken's Screech
Owl
Owl (Otus
Screech
is
in the
about the
asio bendirei)
size
,
FOOD
of the California
Almost
entirely
coarser
underparts.
NEST
WEIGHT
XXXI
Otus
asio
gr.
(6.3 oz.
feet
high,
especially
xxxn
asio
22, 1962.
Two
cottonwoods
along
A.O.U.
measurements of 28
Male.
Colorado
in
EGGS
January
35
sett,
Otus
to
streams.
mm.
(1.4")
in
making them
eggs,
average egg
length by 30.7
just
trifle
mm.
larger
Based on the
size
(1.2")
than
was 359
in
those
width,
of
the
Owl
"9
OTHER NAMES
bayou owl
From
try.
shoe owl
and turn
ward
from
when
the
is
his left
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
The red-phase and gray-phase
in tone than
Otus
more arched.
the beak
asio naevius,
than
floridanus)
the
is
Owl
Screech
Florida
(Otus
asio
but larger.
much
in the Florida
AIKEN
SCREECH OWL
WEIGHT
DISTRIBUTION IN NORTH AMERICA
southward
nesota
into
extreme
Oklahoma
western
TOTAL LENGTH
New
Mexico, central and western Texas, northeastern Arizona, and southward to northern Durango, Mexico.
Subspecies average
Otus
Volume
Noctua
page
120
asio
asio
asio
(Linnaeus).
Original
531.9
mm.
.o'
NAME AND
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Strix
(8.5").
WINGSPAN
SCIENTIFIC
mm.
mm.
(6.2").
description:
10,
TAIL LENGTH
Owl
mm.
(3-i")-
BEAK LENGTH
Subspecies average
mm.
15.2
(0.6")
FEET
Very densely feathered.
VOICE
The
compared
to
whinnying of a horse.
coloration
may
There
is
a brown-
ish
birds
which
is
not
uncommon
in
brown intergrade
Otus
HABITAT
Primarily
meadows
try
as well as
to the higher
CALIFORNIA SCREECH
{COLOR PLATE
OWL
XVIII)
EGGS
Usually four to
six eggs,
SCIENTIFIC
many
March or
NAME AND
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
early April.
Otus
asio bendirei
in every state
OTHER NAMES
However,
and absent
it
in
is
uncommon
in
northwestern
Arkansas
bendire's screech
thologist
Major C.
Owl
owl
E. Bendire.
121
TOTAL LENGTH
Subspecies average
mm.
226.1
(8.9").
WINGSPAN
Subspecies average
572.8
mm.
(22.6").
167.6
mm.
(6.6").
TAIL LENGTH
Subspecies average
80.5
mm.
(3.2").
BEAK LENGTH
Subspecies average
CALIFORNIA SCREECH
Otus
Owl
singularly uniform in
color tone. It
is
down
Screech Owl
Owl
(Otus asio
mm.
(0.6").
is
similar to the
median
15.2
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
This Screech
OWL
breast
underparts.
The
ate elevations
is
Screech
It
is
Owl (Otus
brewsteri)
asio gilmani)
and normally
Owl (Otus
bit paler in
asio
general
Owl (Otus
roosts in
moderwoodpecker holes
natural
hollow
rather
is
When
than
an
is
for
abandoned wood-
pecker hole.
asio
macfarlanei)
FOOD
WEIGHT
Preys heavily
is
122
Owl
Screech
Owl
races.
NEST
Most often
Almost invariably
indifferent
effort
woodpecker
in old
On
occasion
partially
holes, but
the
line
some-
may make an
it
bottom of the
it
is
warm
is
a brownish-gray phase.
Owl
Owl (Otus
Kennicott's Screech
is
smaller,
grayer,
paler,
is
similar to
but
asio kennicottii)
and with
less
brown.
Owl (Otus
It
it
is
slightly larger
naevius) and the shaft streaks on upperparts and underpays are more in contrast with the general coloration,
although the crosslining on the undcrparts is less conspicuous than on the Eastern Screech Owl. It is a
smaller and darker owl than MacFarlane's Screech Owl
EGGS
asio
As few
more than
They average
slightly
just
mm.
late
March and
(1.2")
in
as
WEIGHT
late
(7-8 oz.).
gr.
during April.
TOTAL LENGTH
DISTRIBUTION IN NORTH AMERICA
South-central Oregon (in Josephine, Jackson, Curry,
and Klamath counties), and northwestern coastal region
of California
exclusive of the narrow coastal strip in
Del Norte and Humboldt counties), from Trinity
County south to Monterey Bay, and inland to the edge
of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley. In the OregonCalifornia border area it tends to intergrade with Brew-
Subspecies average
ster's
it
the intergrading
as
Otus
most
is
distinct)
asio bendirei or
northward
to
Otus
Mount
the
brewsteri.
Extends
(9.1").
mm.
(23. 6")
(where
should be referred to
asio
mm.
questionable as to whether
area
229.8
WINGSPAN
Subspecies average
171.4
mm.
(6.8").
VOICE
BREWSTER'S SCREECH
OWL
Owl
and nesting
periods.
One
NAME AND
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Otus
asio
brewsteri Ridgway.
asio brewsteri
Bulletin,
Number
Ridgway, U.
Original description:
S.
National
Museum
CHARACTERISTICS
Brewster's Screech
Owl
Brewster's Screech
Owl
is
it
the most
is
common
owl
in
123
EGGS
As few
many
rarely, as
(1.2") in width.
Owl normally
Screech
resides
higher
at
belt
northwestern California
in
County).
Humboldt
'Carlotta,
northward
Continues
to
Chelan
to
County,
the
Pacific
coast.
SCREECH OWL
asio brewsteri
SCIENTIFIC
Ridgway
NAME AND
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
cause of
its
daytime,
it
will
almost certainly be in
the
all
in
midst of
the nesting period and even then only on a heavily overcast day.
Otus
Volume
on a
Prefers the
grown
in
somewhat lower
slopes
asio
Number
cineraceus Ridgway,
The Auk,
HABITAT
well
cineraceus
asio
Megascops
tion:
4,
OTHER NAME
and creek
valleys
ARIZONA SCREECH
tion in the
FOOD
United
OWL
After
its
geographic distribu-
States.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
number
asio gilmani)
and
still
Owl (Otus
to
NEST
Though
are
natural
tree
hollows.
124
The
nesting
more than 35
cavity
in
is
feet high.
Screech
Owl
and
hilltops, the
Owl
preference
Screech
for
Owl
valleys.
races, the
One
of
the
smallest
of
is
the
some-
Strictly
in over-all coloration.
monochromatic
in the gray
phase only.
The
a vague brownish
streaks
WEIGHT
those
of
Though
Aiken's
Screech
Owl
(Otus
asio
aikeni)
an
There is
little trace of real brown anywhere in the plumage and
no brown-phase or red-phase bird has ever been found.
TOTAL LENGTH
Subspecies average: 184.4
mm.
illusion created
(7.3")
551.2
mm.
this
warm
is,
instead,
grays.
WINGSPAN
Subspecies average
by the shading of
JUVENILE
(21.7'
Ordinarily
juveniles of other
Otus
asio subspecies.
163.2
mm.
(6.4").
CHARACTERISTICS
The Mexican Screech Owl
TAIL LENGTH
is
more openly
its
Owl
sociable in
races. It
is
in-
Subspecies average
87.7
mm.
and soon upward of from four to ten birds will be calling back and
forth. They begin moving gradually closer together and
gather in loose groups for a short while before moving
(3.5").
deepening
twilight.
BEAK
Varies from greenish yellow to deep slate green; most
often
is
HABITAT
Most fond
the
desert,
foliage
surrounding areas.
of moderately
especially
eyelids
is
distinctly black.
When
watching.
the
The Mexican
'
25
EGGS
Normally there are three or four
while five eggs will be
laid.
Though
an individual
to
Once
in a great
white,
speckled
like the
activities
of
Colorado River Valley), and central and southern Utah, southward through central and eastern Ari-
of the
New Mexico
to central
asio cineraceus
NAME AND
SCIENTIFIC
(Ridgway)
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Otus
tion:
Screech
Otus
Owl seems
(Ridgway).
fioridanus
asio
Scops
Volume
5,
Original
descrip-
Ridgway, Bulletin
Number
2,
1873,
asio races to infestations of fleas.
of
December
Indian
River, Florida.
OTHER NAMES
FOOD
beach owl
kangaroo
rats,
ground
availability
lizards,
frogs,
of
small
prey.
birds,
cially
owl
perches with
For
its
death owl
its
call
will
is
its
is
not
uncommonly
seen at
grasses, espe-
coast.
superficial catlike
appearance as
it
slitted.
belief that
when
soon die.
ii\mmock owl
NEST
it
cat
Because
it
inhabits,
es-
Hollows from 10
to
30
feet
preference
between natural
cavities
and old
126
high
in a
saguaro cactus.
Screech
oak owl
of the live
Because
oak
palm owl
it
tree.
After
its
use of
abandoned woodpecker
Owl
sites.
it
is
referred to
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
This
is
It
is
it
is
is
is
form of Otus
considerably
smaller and
less
common
Owl (Otus
in
Owl (Otus
Most
including
(Speotyto cunicularia
phase bird
Owl
VOICE
It
calls
Owl
Screech
Florida
tend
to
be
slightly
more
this
Otus
has been
drumming
pitched
known
utter
to
peculiar
low-
asio subspecies.
or
asio asio).
WEIGHT
Although
Subspecies average: 167.4 g r (5-9 oz -)
-
it
is
more
much
phase occurring
brown-phase
rarely, a
less
phase the
TOTAL LENGTH
Subspecies average
211.0
mm.
(8.3").
black
WINGSPAN
Subspecies average: 509.7
mm.
(20.1")
streakings,
mm.
CHARACTERISTICS
(6.0"}
Owl
Screech
is
all
BEAK
mango
or
trees, or else
hidden
in the
hollow of a
live
oak or palm.
cast
HABITAT
May
FEET
The
sparse, bristly
Owl
plumage.
beaches.
FOOD
EAR TUFTS
Slightly longer for the size of the bird than are those
Owl.
In addition
the bulk of
Florida Screech
Owl
its
to the
mice and
diet, the
insects
which make up
Owl consumes
Florida Screech
127
EGGS
Otus
asio
Owl
other Screech
two
subspecies.
33.7
mm.
(1.3")
length and
in
mm.
28.8
(1.1")
in
width.
of this interesting
little
Although
decades.
still
northward
to
Gainesville
the
area,
it
also
is
pri-
Key West
found
ward
in the Mississippi
Ohio River.
of the
whether
this
It
resultant expansion of
than realized
FLORIDA SCREECH
Otus
asio floridanus
OWL
(Ridgway)
NAME AND
SCIENTIFIC
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Otus
asio gilmani
COURTSHIP
tions
Condor, Volume
May
but more
ally
commonly
in
November
or December,
men from
and The
1916, page 163: based on a speci-
Volume
Zoological,
18,
Quite often
1,
cypress, but
or pileated
palms.
among
The
flicker
in the
Florida Screech
Florida Screech
Owl
Englewood, Florida,
SKETCHES
summer
of 197
live
The
oak near
bird at
first
feet
FIELD
palm hollow
80
in the
in the
fully
OWL
128
page
FLORIDA SCREECH
Owl
19 10,
NEST
and
7,
Owl
it
remained there
some dense
sabal
palm
>.yo
...
"^g? ^j##
<*>-;
j;.
a 4>
fV^'
*u
Vn-
fcA
J
AS.
m^J
*ffX
same
tone
basic
though
gray,
of
sometimes
faintly
extreme
in a line of
Owl (Otus
this race as
list
being the
asio naevius)
WEIGHT
Subspecies average: 158.5
TOTAL LENGTH
Subspecies average: 180.6
mm.
(7.1").
WINGSPAN
Subspecies average: 486.1
mm.
(19.2").
mm.
(6.1").
TAIL LENGTH
OTHER NAMES
Arizona screech
owl
Subspecies average
92.5
mm.
(3.7").
tion.
BEAK LENGTH
common name
TECOLOTITO CHILLON DE LOS SAGUAROS Mexicanname meaning "Little Screech Owl of the
Subspecies average
13.3
mm.
(0.5").
Indian
Saguaro."
VOICE
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
Differs considerably
Although
it
is
included
in
many
older
listings
as
trill
with
less
dividual notes
of the call
Swarth that the differences are significant and constant and that it should be listed, as a
separate race. The Saguaro Screech Owl, which occurs
nal description by
is
slightly
smaller
more
clearly separated.
duller than
this subspecies,
is
that of
among
flying.
than the
is
of a melodious quality
Screech
HABITAT
Almost
Owl
strictly
family
ENEMIES
ward through
southern
if
ever, harassed
HUNTING METHODS
catch
consistently
to northeastern
it
be fed to the
to
in
the
Adults
southward
northward
Arizona,
to
It
is
plentiful
in
the
lower
when
FOOD
{COLOR PLATE
XXIII)
races, including
asio floridanus)
Scorpions also
make up
Owl
a sub-
SCIENTIFIC
NAME AND
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Otus asio hasbroucki Ridgway. Original description:
Otus asio hasbroucki Ridgway, U. S. National Museum
NEST
Bulletin,
feet.
Sometimes
cottonwoods.
in
On
an old magpie
it
may
nest
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
nest.
Ridgway
markings
EGGS
but
is
No
to the
eral coloration
and not
as buffy gray
on the upperparts.
more
plumage has mottlings
that are considerably darker brown than those of the
Texas Screech Owl. A rare red phase occurs about 5
per cent of the time and is a dark red like the Eastern
In addition, the underparts have broader and
Screech
after E.
Owl (Otus
asio
leg
naevius)
pattern of markings.
Owl
subspecies.
He
roosts in-
WEIGHT
TOTAL LENGTH
Southwestern California
east-
mm.
(8.3")
'3'
NEST
Mostly
and woodpecker
holes,
EGGS
Sometimes three, usually four, occasionally five, rarely
Based on the measurements of 27 eggs, the average
size of the egg is 34.8 mm. (1.4") in length and 30.0
six.
mm.
(1.2") in width.
HASBROUCK
Otus
SCREECH OWL
asio hasbroucki
OWL
Ridgway
WINGSPAN
Subspecies average
mm.
536.5
SCIENTIFIC
(21. 1").
NAME AND
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
INDIVIDUAL WING LENGTH
Subspecies average: 157.8
mm.
(6.2").
BEAK
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
Named
Joseph
Grinnell,
after
the
Inyo
Mountains
of
Cali-
CHARACTERISTICS
Owl (Otus
asio
inyoensis)
Hasbrouck's Screech
ture
and
it
is
humans when
may
132
noted for
it
Owl
its
when
these
be in no particular jeopardy.
Screech
(right)
including
(left)
normal relaxed
Owl
c,
&*
i'.*
%*^
V;n*tet~W \*<K
Co. ;
<*'
\<^
To
r\wO
> C1
a/
^-oh
<))<+
c*"
yek-j
davK
bkou/^i
WINGSPAN
Subspecies average: 538.7
mm.
(21.2").
mm.
(6.4").
TAIL LENGTH
Subspecies average
81.3
mm.
(3.2").
BEAK LENGTH
Subspecies average
15.2
mm.
(0.6")
HABITAT
Primarily oak-grown slopes and minor low-elevation
is
standing or running
water.
FOOD
Mainly mice,
Owl
insects,
and
lizards.
subspecies,
EGGS
From
three to
six,
common
size,
based
(1.4")
in
WEIGHT
Subspecies average
XXXIII
:
oz.
WHISKERED OWL
TOTAL LENGTH
Chiricahua
Subspecies average
'34
218.5
mm.
ARIZONA WHISKERED
(8.6")
rg
Screech
[O.
Owl
(Brewster).
8,
Not
OWL
Male.
South slope of
1969.
May
10,
7,
Via***
C ys\jQj,.
Screech
Otus
Nevada
Central
Owl and
its
still
considered as
asio subspecies.
(Fallon)
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
Named
this
Owl
is
Otus
kennicottii
asio
NAME AND
of
Original description:
(Elliot).
Elliot,
Proceedings of the
June-September (November
3,
based on a specimen from Sitka, Alaska.
ber
1867,
Robert Kennicott,
Owl (Otus
of
all
asio macfarlanei)
and considerably
Owl (Otus
Owl (Otus
or California Screech
the Screech
than MacFarlane's
asio
asio naev-
bendirei)
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Scops kennicottii
slightly larger
is
SCIENTIFIC
Elliot after
subspecies. It
Screech
by Daniel G.
the largest
Academy
19,
1,
Num1867)
WEIGHT
Subspecies average
235.6
OTHER NAMES
owl
coastal screech
For
habitat
its
along the
TOTAL LENGTH
Pacific coast.
le
petit-duc
kennicottii
de
French-Canadian
study
is
Subspecies average
After part of
its
is
601.
mm.
(23.7").
being
made
to establish
it
An
as a separate species
new
range.
(9.2").
WINGSPAN
graphical location.
mm.
classification.
At
this writing,
181.4
mm.
(7.2").
however, Kennicott's
TAIL LENGTH
xxxv
flammulated owl
Otus flammeolus
Subspecies average
99.3
mm.
(3.9").
Number 374
XXXVI
BEAK LENGTH
2,
Owl
mm.
(0.7")
'35
deep
to
the
The
buff.
in tone
it
is
has fine
feet
Individuals
its
and
is
a dis-
attractive
kennicottii will
kennicott's screech
Otus
owl
Seldom found
higher
in the
altitudes,
marked preference
VISION
large
oaks,
more densely
for
especially
prairie
when
forested areas or at
Owl
Owl
entirely nocturnal,
this
bird
races,
is
these
trees
Kennicott's Screech
Owl shows
Screech
Kennicott's
are
Though
its
young
relatively
it
roost,
favors
it
will
firs.
fre-
VOICE
Unexpectedly, considering
to the other races of Screech
cott's
Screech
Owl
autumn than
is
its
FOOD
large size as
considerably
more high-pitched
in spring
compared
heard during
and summer.
Kennicott's Screech
Owl
also
and
shows a peculiar
crayfish
Some
poultry, too,
is
killed
during
this season,
but in
such cases the owl normally eats only the head of the
prey. In
of the breast of
killed six
full-grown
Screech
is,
nestlings to feed.
Owl
OTHER NAME
tively isolated
fir
hollow in a rela-
being at least
other Screech
keep
its
Owl
races,
it
makes a concerted
and clean.
effort to
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
EGGS
Farlane.
Its
after
R.
Mac-
R.
From two
mm.
37.8
mm
(1.3") in width.
Screech Owl.
contend, as a matter of
still
fact,
Some reMac-
that
larger
asio
INCUBATION AND
BROODING CHARACTERISTICS
The incubating female seems always
turbance on the nest
ally
lethargic at best.
is
She
to
much
larger, as
it
is
also
naevius)
Its
beak, surprisingly,
is
wear
to
but
much
smaller
smaller than
Owl.
dis-
WEIGHT
will usu-
TOTAL LENGTH
From
southeastern
Alaska
(Situk
mm.
(9.0")
Juneau),
River,
southward through coastal British Columbia and western Washington to the Columbia River Valley
side,
Clatsop County,
(Sea-
WINGSPAN
westward
as Sitka, Alaska.
mm.
(23.1"
mm.
(7.0").
NAME AND
Subspecies average
97.6
mm.
(3.9")
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Otus
tion:
asio
macfarlanei
Megascops
Volume
8,
asio
Number
2,
macfarlanei Brewster,
BEAK LENGTH
The Auk,
Subspecies average:
14.
mm.
(0.6")
'37
HABITAT
Tends to keep pretty much to the arid lower river
and seldom moves very far up the mountain
slopes. It has never been recorded above an elevation
of 4.000 feet. Shows a preference for timber fringe
areas, especially where these wooded borderlines are adplains
FOOD
Although
it
is
known
to
kill
this
is
normally
food
is
primarily
size of a flicker,
its
particularly
tree frogs
and
MACFARLANE
Otus
SCREECH OWL
both
in length
COURTSHIP
MacFarlane's Screech Owl normally begins courting
VOICE
Not uncommonly,
seems to
leaving
rests
human
its
this
in very late
and
first
calls,
is
way
in
what
prior to
at intervals as
it
Owl
Owl
Since
becomes
NEST
sometimes inter-
when incubation
it
is
flicker holes,
preference
for natural
is
and
hollows, es-
60
is
feet.
begins.
EGGS
Three
38
five,
Screech
size
is
width.
Owl
37.6
mm.
mm.
(1.3") in
Columbia
Sica-
mm.
(6.8").
TAIL LENGTH
Subspecies average
89.0
mm.
(3.5").
BEAK LENGTH
SCIENTIFIC
Otus asio maxwelliae (Ridgway). Original descripScops asio maxnelliae Ridgway, Proceedings of
the L'. S. Xational Museum, Volume 3. 1880. page 191,
Xumber 402-c: based on a specimen from the vicinity
of Denver, Colorado.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
named by Robert
Maxwell, the noted taxi-
M.
A.
than
other
is
lighter in
specimens are
among
Owl
(0.7").
Owl (Otus
the lightest
mm.
tion:
after Mrs.
16.8
NAME AND
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Ridgway
asio macfarlanei)
well-wooded
creek
foothills,
and
Rocky Mountains
bottoms,
Owl
forms, enjoys
it
WEIGHT
Subspecies average: 219.7
gr.
7.7 oz.)
FOOD
Primarily frogs, mice, crayfish, and some
fish.
TOTAL LENGTH
Subspecies average
223.5
mm.
8.8").
NEST
Most often
WINGSPAN
occasion
dense
Subspecies average: 558.8
mm.
'22.0")
but on
an abandoned magpie nest in
bordering slow-moving or stationary
will
willows
nest
in
water.
39
COLOR PLATE
SCIENTIFIC
XXVIII)
NAME AND
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Otus
Original
(Cassin).
mccallii
asio
description:
Valley,
lu,
Mt ^ascops
Former
scientific
asio mccallii.
OTHER NAMES
owl After Colonel George A. McCally.
whom it was named by John Cassin.
western mottled owl For its geographic location
mcxally's
ornithologist, for
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
Ridgway)
EGGS
a
minimum
monly
five.
of three to a
maximum
Owl
The
of seven.
54
by 30.2
mm.
six eggs,
those
of
mm.
.4"
re-
is
crav.
other
on the measurements
36.3
is
but only
shape than
in
subspecies. Based
Usually there are three or four eggs, but not uncomvery rarely are there seven.
asio
Screech
From
Owl (Otus
of
in length
WEIGHT
(1.2") in width.
TOTAL LENGTH
Southeastern
to central
Rocky
as central
Subspecies average
189.6
mm.
(7.5").
or
much
tana
the
east
of
mountains)
southern Saskatchewan
to
also
Eastend,
extending
Regina)
Monfrom
southward
through southern
140
'
Wyoming
to northeastern
Utah.
S,
reech
Study of the
S<
I- re
Owl
Automcris
flight
X<>te
in
widely spread
pursuit of an Io
wings
Owl
moth
and cupped
neared and owl
rectrices
gray-buff ground
The
color.
shaft
and
streaks
cross-
ground coloration.
All
rectrices
HABITAT
Otus asio mccallii most prefers willow creek bottoms
and somewhat more open mesquite plains.
NEST
The nesting holes abandoned) of golden-fronted
woodpeckers are very often used, as are natural cavities
in
hardwood
trees.
used as nesting
if
ever,
sites.
EGGS
will
WINGSPAN
Subspecies average: 531.4
mm.
long by 29.0
(20.9")
150.
mm.
mm.
mm.
(1.3")
(1.1") wide.
(5.9")-
TAIL LENGTH
to the Gulf.
Subspecies average
mm.
84.5
(3.3").
BEAK LENGTH
Subspecies average:
the Texas Screech
15.2
Owl
is
mm.
(0.6").
The beak on
but
the
dark and
142
upperparts
in
distinct
the
shaft
contrast to
streakings
the
arc
SCIENTIFIC
NAME AND
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Otus
quite
Otus
underlying light
<
Owl
asio
asio
quercinus Grinnell,
32,
Number
OTHER NAMES
oak owl
and
After the
which
for
it
live
oak
was given
this
trees
owl favors
subspecific
its
name
of
tecolotito
Mexican-Indian
KNCiNKRO
chillon
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
The Pasadena Screech Owl. much
naeiius
is
fornia Screech
coloration
Owl
Otus
'
drab.
On
either
There
is
it
is
asic
its
genera]
more brown-
a lighter ashy-
are
but
asio bendirei
Otus
is
ish
Owl
absent
entirely
a distinctive
only
or
though
slight
barely
suggested.
amount
of rufous
on the ear
tufts.
asio gilmani)
BEAK LENGTH
WEIGHT
Subspecies average: 216.3
gr.
7.6 oz.
227.3
mm.
Rarely,
^9.0").
if
ever, fewer
will
WINGSPAN
:
573.
mm.
common
is
clutch
be as
four or
Subspecies average
0.6"
EGGS
TOTAL LENGTH
Subspecies average
mm.
length by 30.2
mm.
many
five.
size
as six.
laid.
Now
Measurements of 46
of 35.8
mm.
1.4"
in
(1.2") in width.
^22.6").
mm.
''6.6").
of
TAIL LENGTH
Nevada
to
southern California
80.8
mm.
^3.2").
California.
143
Owl
Otus
WEIGHT
Subspecies average: 19 1.2
gr.
'6.7 oz.)
TOTAL LENGTH
Subspecies average
152.7
mm.
(6.0").
WINGSPAN
Subspecies average
asio suttoni
480.7
mm.
(i8.g"i
Moore
Subspecies average
152.0
mm.
6.0").
Subspecies average
SCIENTIFIC
73.6
mm.
(2.9").
NAME AND
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
BEAK LENGTH
Otus
asio
asio suttoni
suttoni Moore.
Washington, 1941 page 154: based on a specimen from Portezuelo. Hidalgo. Mexico.
ciety of
Subspecies average:
(0.5").
The beak
is
OTHER NAME
artist
mm.
13.4
black.
As noted, birds
in
the
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
much
oration
cincraceus)
This
is
the darkest of
all
Otus ano
jj.
races,
with the
the
of
,
Mountain
Owl
this
in southeastern Arizona.
being at Chiricahua
WEIGHT
HABITAT
High-altitude pifion and oak: low-altitude mesquite,
willow,
(7.9 oz.
and greasewood.
TOTAL LENGTH
EGGS
Subspecies average
Xo
would
they
probably
smaller,
slightly
than
be
relatively
those
of
mm.
225.1
(8.9";
but
though
similar,
Mexican Screech
the
Owl.
WINGSPAN
Subspecies average
574.3
mm.
(22.6").
of
New
Cruces.
mm.
(7.3").
Mexico.
TAIL LENGTH
mm.
(3.8")
SCIENTIFIC
BEAK LENGTH
NAME AND
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Otus
Otus
ton
gust
at
(o.
7"
Academy
15,
mm.
asio
asio
of Sciences,
Volume
27,
Number
8,
Au-
FOOD
at
an elevation
Grasshoppers, along with some other insects, com-
of 3,450 feet.
prise
about half
making up most
this
owl's
of the
diet,
remainder.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
The Nebraska Screech Owl, named by H. C. Oberin honor of ornithologist M. H. Swenk, is a
NEST
holser
dichromatic
race
Otus
asio
more subdued
but considerably
naevius)
is
the
fairly
Eastern
large
Owl
in
Owl
Screech
Screech
in
Owl.
but
it
is
not
Owl (Otus
asio
size
macfarlanei)
It
Owl
is
not
uncommon
nesting behind
find
the Nebraska
Screech
to
in
nest
cottonwoods
'45
NAME AND
SCIENTIFIC
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Otus
asio
Original
Miller.
Miller,
53,
Number
and
L.
July 26,
4,
95
1.
OTHER NAME
gila screech
owl
After part of
its
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
A
asio
Owl
with a
swenki Oberholser
the
area
having
much
sence of
it.
less
Normally
it
Screech
Owl
is
very
nearly
EGGS
its
markings
much
cases
many
Most often
the measurements of 31
37.0
mm.
(1.5")
in
as seven,
On
and only a
length
by 32.5
rare oc-
mm.
five.
egg
little
From
size
(1.3")
identical
The
medium
well
they
are
numerous,
ground color
they
in
The Yuma
size
are
of the underparts
to
the
but with
asio cineraceus)
narrower.
No
an ab-
is
quite
surface.
Although
diffuse
and therefore
into
less
the
con-
is
in
width.
WEIGHT
Subspecies average: 164.7
gr.
(5.8 oz.).
nett).
numerous
14.6
Screech
Yuma
Screech
Owl
make
the
tail
appear a
75;
iff*
0*1
Wi1<
owl
-*//" Jokc/C
Toes
(\
vnrt\v\rl 5J ^
^r>^ ec^t^ eH j
"Jail UlrMl)
So !** e.r> se.
as To
i>
pf* U
H
<j\-a
<
i-
<
m
</^
'
*V
"M
165.
mm.
(6.5").
TAIL LENGTH
Subspecies average: 88.9
mm.
(3.5")
BEAK LENGTH
Subspecies average:
17.
mm.
The beak
(0.7").
is
black.
FOOD
Almost exclusively mice,
lizards,
insects,
and
scor-
pions.
NEST
Normally an abandoned
flicker
hole
in
saguaro
cactus.
Otus
asio
TOTAL LENGTH
Subspecies average
184.6
mm.
(7 .3").
Valley,
WINGSPAN
Subspecies average
if8
554.0
mm.
(21.8").
southwestern
fornia,
Screech
Arizona,
northwestern
Owl (Yuma)
Ne-
Baja
Cali-
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
The Whiskered Owl, formerly classed as a Screech
similar in many aspects of general physical
is
Owl,
SPECIES
characteristics
and
size to
Otus
[Linnaeus],
asio
ORDER
it
is
some-
STRIGIFORMES
FAMILY:
STRIGIDAE
GENUS:
Otus Pennant
SPECIES:
trichopsis
(Wagler)
SUBSPECIES
Rank
over-all
in
size
among
eighteen
the
species:
Fourteenth.
trichopsis
WHISKERED OWL
(Wagler)
ARIZONA
(Brewster)
aspcrus
SHAPE AT REST
WHISKERED OWL
When
ear
them
WHISKERED OWL
backward
considerably,
tends to
not
quite
flat
distinctly erect as
subspecies.
Owl
tufts
has
It
is
common among
an inclination
its
tilt
putting
them
the Screech
as
Owl
assume a more
to
SCIENTIFIC
NAME AND
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
SHAPE IN FLIGHT
Otus
trichopsis
scription:
3
(Wagler).
trichopsis
Isis
Original
de-
Otus trichopsis
trichopsis,
in
has
flight,
trichopsis,
Megascops
trichopsis.
owl
be-
fore revision.
tecolotito
name meaning
manchado
"Little
llanero
Spotted
Owl
Mexican-Indian
of
the
Grassy
before revision.
not
is
taken, rather
might expect.
Its
flight
is
almost
always
Plains."
tail
FLIGHT PATTERN
OTHER NAMES
spotted screech
slightly
perch
done
Whiskered Owl
it
in
normal
level flight,
is,
and
upward
however,
rarely
terminated
little
to
the
gliding
any hovering.
'49
measured
BEAK LENGTH
birds:
7 females.
Species average:
from
very
mm.
15.0
light
The beak
(0.6").
yellowish-green
ranges
very
to
dark
Male
WEIGHT
Species average: 165.2
gr.
Male
(5.6 oz.)
l69-7 gr-
(5-9
7 -)
Minimum
Maximum
'45-6 gr.
(5.1
oz.)
155-8 gr.
(5.5
oz.)
1737
(6.1
oz.)
186.7 gr-
(6.5
oz.)
weight
Minimum
Maximum
13.4
Female
160.6 gr.
in
14.7
(5.8 oz.
Average
Rank
Average
Rank
mm.
mm.
mm.
16.2
beak length
in
Female
(0.6")
15.2
(0.5")
13.8
(0.6")
18.
among
(0.6")
(0.5")
(0.7")
enth.
gr.
among
TALONS
LEGS, FEET,
Though
TOTAL LENGTH
mm.
(7.0").
Male
Female
feet,
which
The
tarsus
fairly
is
176.8
mm.
(7.0")
1796 mm.
(7.1")
mm.
Minimum
Maximum
166.4
mm
(6.6")
(6.9")
in
180.5
mrn
mm.
mm.
(7.5")
still
Rank
total length
(7-
")
among
74.
190.6
teenth.
distinctly bristled,
Average
in
mm.
mm.
mm.
size
comparison
much
Otus
asio,
though
Owl
ered
slate
normally
takes.
The
are
talons
jet
deep
black at the
tips.
WINGSPAN
mm.
Male
Average
453-3 rnm.
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
375-3
478.3
Female
(17.9")
mm.
mm.
(18.3").
476.0
(14.8")
476.0
(18.8")
509.0
mm.
mm.
mm.
(18.8")
(20.1")
in
The
(18.8")
sis
trichopsis,
unlike
seen hunting in
teenth.
are
irides
sometimes a
vague tinge of yellow-orange coloration. Daylight vision is quite as good as night vision, and Otus trichop-
days.
the
late
Screech
afternoons,
Owls,
is
frequently
to
watch
intently
(5.5").
Male
mm.
124.3 mm.
1378 mm.
Average
133.7
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
lands.
Female
(5.3")
143.8
(4.9")
136.2
(5.4")
148.8
mm.
mm.
mm.
(5.7")
(5.4")
(5.9")
in
teenth.
the primary
TAIL LENGTH
Species average: 66.0
mm.
Male
Average
58.5
Minimum
Maximum
57.2
Rank
teenth.
'5
65.3
in tail
mm.
mm.
mm.
length
73.5
(2.3")
67.4
(2.6")
76.3
among
excellent,
of prey location.
cunicularia
FLORIDA BURROWING
floridana
Ridgway.
The
mm.
mm.
mm.
it
OWL
Male.
Five
Female
(2.3")
means
XXXVI!
Speotyto
(2.6").
is
may
\.o.l".
9,
miles
1971.
Number 378-A
(3.0")
xxxviii
(2.7")
(3.0")
Whiskered
Owl
AOL*. Number
381
..
^--*v
abnormally asymmetrical
so
many
in
and placement
size
as
in
pause,
sound
is
The
note.
bottle.
SEXUAL DIFFERENCES:
SIZE, COLORATION, VOICE
MOLT
The
Otus
and not
asio subspecies
When
appear
when
an-
each ear
tuft
to be single-pointed, but
more normal
perpen-
as often raised so
position,
with
size,
the
The
in
female a
bit
coloration
or
more
bit
is
harsh.
have
to
relatively
in
pattern of markings.
difference
slight
larger,
loose
Little of
real value
VOICE
is
known
history.
life
of this aspect of
At
to live longer
two
least
speci-
than a decade
in
Perhaps
most
the
distinctive
call
is
series
some-
of
six
to
notes
eight
Otus
by
issued
next-to-last
sun
uttered
As
is
Another
syncopated
common
call
is
trill
tremulous wavering
call
the
of
much
like
in-
the
Owl
Eastern Screech
call,
evidently
first
Along with
a
after
OOO
sunset,
,
which
is
is
soft
yet
rather
male, utter
many
Otus
asio, the
trichopsis appears to be
In
red phase.
of the dichromatic
sub-
than the
this
The mating
is
species of
oration.
and the
The ground
grayish
is
and multiple
parallel crossbars
webs on either
of the
of
two
distinct lines,
side.
The
facial
rim
is
normally
brown
far-earning
just
HOO-
buffy gray
to
gray
smoothly round as
in
to
be
bird,
quite boldly
XL
Syctea scandiaca
Heights,
Linnaeus).
Cook County.
Number 376
SNOWY OWL
Illinois,
December
8,
1968.
A.O.U.
The underparts
boldly streaked. The
mottlings.
are a reddish
also
general
is
rufous tone
and dusky
tawny gray,
shaft streaks
coloration
of
Otus
Whiskered Owl
both
Owl
asio naevius)
'5'
JUVENILE
brown,
gray
rather
mottled
indistinctly
with a murky
ers.
and barred
on the feaththe feathers
plumage
much
is
in places.
The underparts
are a
indistinct bars
Owl
W hiskered
to
ability
sults
trichopsis
in
lies
is
much
Otus trichopsis
greatest defense of
its
perches quietly in
CHARACTERISTICS
the- trunk
trunk
sleeps
When
Strangely, Otus trichopsis trichopsis seems markedlydisinclined to perch or roost in any kind of pine trees,
even though
its
much
It
and
and
prefers
seem
to care to
the Arizona
normally
tree,
as
it
perching at night
often
it
tends to
move
tree, so too
does
when
invisible.
away
farther
stance
with the
the limb
range,
limb.
more dense
when
Here again
tends to
foliage
up
more often
Whiskered Owl
temperament
15
is
feet
not
as are the
the
is
so
generally
Otus
in
uppermost
been
it
and
tree,
bird
sit
in
if
flight.
The
limit.
fierce
poised to take
it
it
As
roosting
of a
it
it
becomes almost
it
plumage
the
branch close to
the
re-
decreased.
and,
Now
Owl
the Barn
less often,
become
in
asio subspecies.
likely
This
prey.
and
trees
to rather
Pine
are preferred.
an
enemy, the Western
Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus pallescens) which favors such habitats. While the sort of cover most favorfir
spot
and
prey,
upon, snatched up
left,
when
in
flight,
listen
detected,
in the talons
(usually)
is
swiftly
to the
same
tree
the bird
up
patiently
When
as often occurs,
able
for
the
beak.
More
ried in
is
car-
to a convenient perch.
tightly
feet.
In
such areas
it
roosts
primarily
It
is
in
the
152
to
and
Whiskered
Owl
nesting
during the
food
of
invertebrate
is
Otus
season.
trichopsis
moths and
prey,
insects.
beetles,
trichopsis
large
crickets,
praying
Such
beetle larvae.
Whisk-
There seems
pecker.
than
in the
stub holes
or
to
in
not
are
although
itself;
available,
trunk
branch
if
cavity
will
it
known whether
not
is
or not the
ered Owl's diet most of the year, but during the winter
owl
to
is
relatively
deep hole
chances are
preferred,
is
in;
formed
tinous
are
pellets
of
bits
Such
insects.
amount
mainly
cast,
stiff
of small
and poorly
containing
pellets
the
chi-
disintegrate
very
them
apart.
monly seen among other owl species. They are generallystraight down below the small-branch perch
the bird alights on for that specific purpose, and they
are generally gray brown with some gray-green mardropped
blings of a
more
EGGS
X umber per nesting
more than four eggs are
Rarely
laid,
than
fewer
though
three
or
as four.
Color
Shape
Very
never notably
ovoid.
viscous nature.
Texture
Size
glossiness.
Owl (Otus
asio mccallii)
The average
length by 27.3
mm.
(1.1") in width.
size,
mm.
based on
(1.3")
in
Some
been done on the courtship activities of the Whiskered Owl, but hardly anything in respect to the actual mating. Courtship is not
interesting study has
erally similar.
the female
just
as
prolonged as
is
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
gen-
length:
33.7
length:
28.7
width:
31.6
mm.
mm.
mm.
width:
(1.3")
(1.1")
(1.2")
1.0")
that
makes as he woos
At sunset the birds begin calling back and forth,
and as twilight deepens they draw closer together, all
she will echo nearly every call he
her.
This
Interval of egg-laying
tain,
is
not
known
for cer-
Egg-laying dates
normally between
May
and
May
May
19;
9.
This
scribed
call
sounding
like
earlier.
WHOOO-hoo
See
Voice.
Little
as
de-
in
early
spring,
INCUBATION AND
BROODING CHARACTERISTICS
re-
calls until
unmated female.
iloooo-woo,
ANNUAL BROODS,
NEST,
male
NESTING HABITS
sits
a natural cavity or
Owl normally
abandoned hole
in progress.
The
fe-
is
nests in
of flicker or
wood-
when danger
is
past.
On
occasion females
out protest.
Whiskered Owl
'53
MIGRATION
Not migratory.
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
Probably of benefit because of insect-eating habits.
SCIENTIFIC
NAME AND
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Otus
Number
WHISKERED OWL
Otus trichopsis trichopsis (Wagler)
OTHER NAMES
TECOLOTITO MANCHADO DE BREWSTER
Mexican-In-
LIFE
trichopsis trichopsis)
CHARACTERISTICS
Very
little
what
little
Whiskered Owl's
life
cycle,
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
although
among
the
Otus
asio
is
Otus trichopsis trichopsis, usually occurring only within a few hundred feet of the 7,000-
elevations than
subspecies.
foot altitude. It
is
somewhat
which
Primarily in a small portion of southeastern Arizona
bufhness
distinct
is
lacking
streakings of both
of
in
the
larger
is
plumage
Otus
around
trichopsis
the
face,
trichopsis.
much
The
bolder
Jalisco, Nayarit.
Owl. There
in
tains
at
elevations
of
from 4.000
through
*54
Mexico,
to
7,000
feet,
but
size,
(Otus asio
Whiskered
Owl
is
WEIGHT
Subspecies average
TOTAL LENGTH
Subspecies average: 184.2
mm.
(7-3")-
WINGSPAN
mm.
^20.8").
mm.
(6.2").
TAIL LENGTH
Subspecies average: 81.3
mm.
(3.2").
ARIZONA WHISKERED
OWL
BEAK LENGTH
Subspecies average: 15.4
mm.
(0.6")
VOICE
Quite similar to that of Otus trichopsis trichopsis
except that the female not infrequently issues a
short, whistling
like
sound which
rises at
NEST
brittle,
kiEW! kiEW!
Owl
and
prefers
times,
most abundant
es-
at elevations of
been known
It
feet
seems,
from 7,500
at
feet
the
quivari,
varez)
Arizona Whiskered
Parajito,
Owl
'55
owl
least screech
Same
for
Dwarf
name
reasons
as
Screech Owl.
SPECIES
ORDER
STRIGIFORMES
FAMILY:
STRIGIDAE
GENUS:
Otus Pennant
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
Quite a small owl having red- and gray-color phases,
with ear tufts that are distinctly rounded, very short,
and barely
visible
fully erect.
The
tufts
SPECIES:
flammeolus (Kaup)
Owl
The Flammulated
feet.
Its
gentle-appearing dark-chocolate-colored
eyes
the
SUBSPECIES
sparrow
(though
slightly larger
brasilianum
FLAMMULATED
flammeolus (Kaup)
itself
dish
ridgwayi)
Its
running down
bars
phase and
its
is
only
V-shaped
distinctive
the
it
Owl (Glaucidium
scapulars
in
the
red-
gray
OWL
it
it
warm ruddy
name results.
Rank in size among
its
FLAMMULATED OWL
SHAPE AT REST AND IN FLIGHT
Screech
tends also to
tufts. It
SCIENTIFIC
NAME AND
groundward. In
Owl
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
in Jardine's
less
more rapid
in
FLIGHT PATTERN
rather
jerky type
OTHER NAMES
ings as
it
nervous,
of flight,
former
Because of
"The
in
Former name
after the
Dwarf Duke."
Little
a high perch
done
size.
left
is
Screech Owls.
its
darting,
156
pointing
ing
distinct,
tail
resemblance to a Screech
subspecies.
its
Otus flammeolus flammeolus (Kaup). Original description: Scops (Megascops) flammeola "Licht" Kaup,
page
is
sit
flight
cern.
The
Flammulated Owl
and markings.
J
\M
^
5<-
V<V^
*ftff
*e sAr^
J)
\ Co1
00
7 /??7
BEAK LENGTH
Species average:
13 birds
measured:
9.7
mm.
(0.4").
The beak
slate
is
black.
Male
Average
9.4
Minimum
Maximum
8.7
WEIGHT
Rank
in
mm.
mm.
mm.
10.5
Female
(0.4")
10.0
(0.3")
9.9
(0.4")
1.1
mm.
mm.
mm.
(0.4")
(0.4")
(0.4")
Fif-
teenth.
Species average: 13
Male
Average
126.3
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
in
gr-
3.6 gr.
143.4 g r
weight
Female
(44
oz.)
137.
gr.
(4.8 oz.)
(4.0 oz.)
122.4 g r
(4-3
oz -)
(5 oz -)
H9-3 g r
(5-2
oz.)
among
LEGS, FEET,
The
The
tinge of yellow.
mm.
(6.5").
157.3
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
173.6
(5.9")
163.6
(6.5")
188.7
among
total length
in
Female
(6.2")
mm.
mm.
mm.
entirely
(6.8")
and rather
Leg and foot
and
curved,
well
long,
Male
mm.
1510 mm.
163.8 mm.
Average
relatively
lightly feathered,
TOTAL LENGTH
the
of
legs
TALONS
black.
it
has
a powerful grip.
(6.5")
(7.4")
teenth.
WINGSPAN
only
the
small
owl
4575 mm.
Male
(18.0").
is
Average
4526 mm.
(17.8")
Minimum
Maximum
379-1
mm.
mm.
(14.9")
Rank
in
462.9
friendly look
Female
(18.2")
462.3
450.7
501. 1
mm.
mm.
mm.
(18.2")
since
the
bird
The
and
(17.8")
Vision
adults.
as
brown
in the
good day or
quite
is
young
as in
but espe-
night,
(19-7")
cially
adapted
to
deep
twilight.
mm.
(5.3").
Male
Average
132.7
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
128.3
138.6
mm.
rnm.
mm.
Female
(5.2")
(5
")
(5.5")
135.6
130.8
1
45.
mm.
mm.
mm.
The
(5.2")
(5.7")
in
auditory sense
is
(5.3")
are
size,
and
this
capabilities.
The
teenth.
asymmetrical
lated
to
some degree
in
placement and
sound-location
authors,
in hunting.
Owl perched
Flammu-
mm.
(2.4").
Male
Average
61.0
Minimum
Maximum
57.8
Rank
in tail
teenth.
'58
62.9
mm.
mm.
mm.
length
Female
(2.4")
62.2
(2.3")
60.9
(2.5")
64.9
among
TAIL LENGTH
mm.
mm.
mm.
(2.5")
(2.4")
(2.6")
nearby
tree. It
wholly unafraid.
Flammulated Owl
SEXUAL DIFFERENCES:
SIZE, COLORATION, VOICE
MOLT
The
less
points
on each
They tend
owl
is
peak
to
sharp
in
the
of
side
giving
size of those of
The plumage
of this
There is no evident difference in coloration or markbetween the sexes, but the female is slightly the
larger bird and her voice is very dissimilar to the
ings
male's,
at this time of
calling.
its
mid-August
in
This
cance of
this fact
is
is
signifi-
where
this
There seems
species
is
to
be
little
it
was banded
nest mortality
VOICE
five-
tone.
is
Though
it
is
it
This
call
is
so
virtually impossible
it
voice.
its
has far-carrying
above,
the
sounds
it
note
first
is
like
whoo-WHOOOT.
not
given.
stages of courtship,
In
the
Occasionally
more advanced
sometimes
is
chuckling or chattering
soft
sounds.
Another
call
by the female
sound,
not
unlike
is
the
kittenlike
of
call
MEEEeee-ooooo
Whitney's
Elf
Owl
When
disturbed,
especially
little
shriek
The
it,
it
if
nesting,
the
female
male,
Most
if
when
HOOT!
is
this calling is
is
to
difficult of all
paint
insofar
and
colors
is
as
North American
coloration and
great
variation
in
The
may
little
may
clination
but
birds,
this
is
no hard-and-fast
to
rule.
may
Markings of
surprisingly finely
drawn
pencil-
So
far as
location, or season.
The
hind
Owls
ings.
casion
raged
This
to ten-second
intervals,
may
northerly specimens.
Some
especially
in
the
gray
phase,
even
when
rufous
coloration
is
most of
finished. Again,
disks
Flammulated Owl
eyes.
'59
color phases
and
with somewhat
individuals
the back.
plumage
of the upperparts,
and gray-phase
of both red-phase
as
is
by the variegated
The plumage
wears.
JUVENILE
There
afforded
flage
bird
this
particular,
The markings
of the
the
to
trunk and
below.
It
in
is,
fact,
becomes
it
makes a concerted
also
leaning
virtually
back
its
from
keep a
invisible
effort
in
itself
to
and an ob-
server.
CHARACTERISTICS
More
Owl is
or
reclusive in
less
habits, the
its
Flammulated
al-
fore sunrise.
sis)
in
a tree
snatches
it
slightly
more
devour
its
the
inclined to land,
when
it
it
attacks,
and
and
dense
cover close
thicket-type
to
open
relatively
to
as in the talons,
left
Owl seems
if
10,000 feet.
for
perch
However,
eating.
Rarely
feet,
to a convenient
for
it
trichopsis trichop-
is
there
is
beak
flight
may
be trans-
among deciduous
be found equally
will
it
avoids
forests of
cuttings.
It
likes
forests
of spruce
and
fir
seem
trees,
to
be the favored
day on a
roosts,
live
with some
limb (rarely,
It
has a
to stand
on a small
roost in
it
It will
pirion.
rarely roosts in
also
Except
any kind
of hollow.
with
its
feet,
and
life,
however,
this
only, a
few small
owl
will
eat
mice of many
birds.
extent,
virginianus sp.)
Long-eared
Owls
(Asio
and, to some
otus.
sp.)
are
of this bird,
man
is
not as
much
a threat as he
is
can,
Very
nest,
mating
and
little
is
known about
activities,
this bird's
courtship and
seclusion. This
is
during
this
make
extremely
it
Flammulated Owl
season,
its
highly
ventriloquial
abilities
ANNUAL BROODS,
NEST,
NESTING HABITS
Single-brooded, Otus flammeolus flammeolus almost
an abandoned hole
If
own
its
not
is
from
owl
the
available,
will
and
in-use nest
its
lay
What
known, although it is
young flickers are
eaten. The nest itself does not have to be very high in
the tree to satisfy this owl; holes anywhere from as
happens
low
eggs
those
to
supposed that
is
not
they hatch,
if
the
One
On
a suitable hole
known
has been
is
rare occasions,
Owl
bank swallows.
EGGS
Number
Two
per nesting
but
faint creaminess.
From
Shape
Very
Texture
finely
FLAMMULATED OWL
iness.
Size
Just
Whitney's
about midway in
Owl
Elf
'
size
Micrathene
between those of
whitneyi
On
whitneyi)
asio cineraceus)
was 27.7
wide.
mm.
(1.1")
in
mm.
length by 23.6
0.9")
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
length:
32.7
length:
26.4
width:
28.0
width:
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
21.6
CHARACTERISTICS
'1.3")
(1.0")
When
1.1")
egg-laying
of
^0.9")
Unknown,
but
probably
Egg-laying dates
latest,
first
Interval
LIFE
are
six days.
The
tiny
snow-white
down. Because of restricted in-hole nesting, observation of nestling young is sketchy at best; but in their
first
full, imperfect plumage of autumn,
the young
birds have wings and tail similar to those of the adults.
Elsewhere they have transverse dusky gray-and-white
barrings
INCUBATION AND
BROODING CHARACTERISTICS
Incubation probably is by the female entirely, and
though the exact term of incubation is not known, it
is
disturbed.
However,
is
if
attempt
is
made
to
lift
bite.
her off
Idaho
Flammulated Owl
161
to southern California
MIGRATION
San Bernar-
State of
gas
States
in
\'i-
of
the
ward movement
flocks
Almost
rin g in early
is
all
is
quite loose
migratory
autumn and
flight
is
in large
nocturnal, occur-
late spring,
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
Probably valuable as a destroyer of injurious insects
and, to a lesser extent, rodents.
162
Flammulated Owl
owl
gophf.r
Because
it
underground
lives
go-
as
ground owl
For
its
ground.
owl
hill
SPECIES
mound
Because of the
of earth
the
at
ORDER
STRIGIFORMES
FAMILY:
STRIGIDAE
watch.
la choi ette a terrier de l'ouest French-Canadian name meaning "Western Burrowing Owl."
lechlcilla llanera Mexican-Indian name meaning "The Little Barn Owl (or simply Owl") of the
Fields."
GENUS:
owl
prairie dog
Speotyto Gloger
Because of
SPECIES:
(Molina)
cunicularia
its
its
own underground
nesting
belief that
will
it
rattlesnake owl
SUBSPECIES
snakes, for
that
it
owl shares
the
its
Defenses.)
snake owl
Because
it
frequently
kills
and
eats
tunnel owl
Because
nests
it
at
the
end of an
underground tunnel.
OWL
FLORIDA
Ridgway
florid ana
is
WESTERN
BURROWING
hypugaea (Bonaparte)
it
BURROWING
OWL
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
The Speotyto
Owl
Burrowing
Western
the
(Speotyto
NAME AND
SCIENTIFIC
nal description:
Strix
Volume
Ornithology,
Bonaparte).
1825, page 72
(note)
Origi-
Piatt
based
River,
Nebraska.
Burrowing Owls.
Very distinctive
burrow,
before
its
stance
and
as
stands
it
this
swivels
its
one of the more comfor both the Western Burrowing Owl and
seems
the Florida
Burrowing Owl,
right stance.
is
its
derivation and
mean-
cuckoo owl
of
its
more
quality.
distinctive calls,
1
See Voice.)
Eastern
the
and
From one
its
mon names
this
favored by the
Although
places.
OTHER NAMES
owl
open
It
billy
in very
on the ground
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Speotyto cunicularia hypugaea
Speotyto
is
cunicularia
Owl
much
Screech
it
Owl
larger because
It
is
interesting to
is
of
its
watch
of
but
(Otus
naevius)
easily observable
the owls of
North Amer-
ica.
Rank
Western Burrouing
in size
Owl
among
163
SHAPE AT REST
TOTAL LENGTH
own
its
legs.
is
mm.
(9.5").
Male
Female
Average
229.6
mm.
9.0")
253.2
Minimum
Maximum
212.9
mm
8.4")
225.8
mm.
mm.
267.9
mm.
(10.6")
284.5
mm
Rank
in total length
among
(10.0")
(
8.9")
(11.2")
tail
enth.
SHAPE IN FLIGHT
The wings
tainly
WINGSPAN
on the shoulders
well couched
tail
in flight.
are
Just as
Average
577.6
Minimum
Maximum
558.9
Rank
markedly similar
that of the
to
and
irregular.
flight,
falcon.
It
is
it
is
591.5
mm.
(23.3")
(22.0")
5748 mm.
(23.7")
(23.5")
616.3
mm.
(24.3")
at
Minimum
Maximum
mm.
1750 mm.
a quite distinc-
enth.
bo-2>
6.4").
Male
mrn (61")
Average
Rank
with
it
mm.
the
compare
rate,
Female
(22.8")
in
also
is
is
observers
woodcock. At any
flight of the
tive
Some
it
owl
this
little
of
flight
596.9
mm.
mm.
mm.
its
the
'23.0").
Male
FLIGHT PATTERN
of
mm.
147.5
Female
1
.5
(5.8")
160.2
(6.9")
184.3
mm.
mm.
mm.
(6.8")
(6.3")
(7.3")
in
and highly
image
it
will, as that
scanning
ground below
the
makes rather
uncommonly
long,
for
prey.
low-level glides,
agile turns
It
frequently
TAIL LENGTH
interspersed with
downward
mally
level,
it
flights
glide.
at
tances without
rest,
it
(3.2").
Male
82.6
mm.
mm.
mm.
tail
length
Average
76.3
Minimum
Maximum
73.4
great dis-
as
mm.
Rank
re-
in
Female
(3.0")
85.3
(2.9")
82.3
(3.3")
89.1
among
the
mm.
mm.
mm.
(3.4")
(3.2")
(3.5")
eighteen
species:
Ifth.
18 males
BEAK LENGTH
WEIGHT
Species average:
13.9
mm.
(0.5").
The beak
is
a dull
Female
Average
202.6 gr.
(7.1
oz.)
213.9
Minimum
Maximum
180.5
^6.3
oz.)
194-9 S r
212.0 gr.
Rank
164
in
weight
gr.
among
!? r -
(7-5 oz
(6-8 oz.)
Average
13.5
Minimum
Maximum
12.5
(7.4 oz.)
Female
Male
Male
Burrowing Owl
Rank
tet
in
nth.
14.0
mm.
mm.
mm.
(0.5")
14.3
(0.5")
(0.6")
15.3
;.-,
mm.
mm.
mm.
(0.6")
(0.5")
(0.6")
TALONS
LEGS, FEET,
and
lasts for
about
one month.
of this bird,
size
of the
pratincola)
good
bit
pect.
The
imparting
legs
the
toes
almost
are
bristly feathers
more
fine,
tarsus
is
like sparse
repertoire of calls
its
is
nowhere nearly
mm.
as long as the
middle
melodious
the
COO-COO-O-O-O
perched on
livered,
OOO.
This
though not
The
to
It
irides are
is
likely,
that vision
is
equally important
this species.
asymmetrical in
acute,
hear the
so.
The
size
auditory sense
great
deal
of
prey
like:
is
The
is
located
sounds something
call
TO OO -whit-tit-tit,
When
and
flight of a beetle or
is
softly de-
as penetrating in character.
TICKA-tit-tit
slightly
more
Owl
often en-
little
to,
cavities
similar
is
song which
alarmed.
Ear
is
a bright
too.
call
It
the courtship
like,
the
differ-
is
as var-
sp.),
averaging 47.2
toe,
While
bare,
The
VOICE
in general as-
TWEEEE
tit-tit.
its
If.
like:
interspersed with a
is
burrow
however,
a
it
raucous
KAK!
nearby
flies
to
grasses.
Beak
when
and
snappings
the bird
is
hissings
fensive call
issued
disturbing or
The head
of the
though tending
to
at
entering
sound remarkably
like
when
when perched
plumage is much
not
are
interesting
times
the
uncommon
when an
mouth of
intruder begins
the
burrow
and Defenses.)
be fluffed slightly
on a wire or branch. In
flight
the
SEXUAL DIFFERENCES:
SIZE, COLORATION, VOICE
closer to the
There
is
very
little
no difference
in coloration
Western Burrowing
Owl
16-
it
more prone
is
which
do
normally
not
nibalism
tree-nesting
owls.
is
in
the nest
in
molest
a ground-nesting spe-
is
to attack
birds
has sharply
man
this
The
definite
or even
absent.
coverts,
and
dium buff
paling
of
leg
to
bufTy
light
colors
all
has
belly,
Some
white.
been
thighs,
undertail
slight
observed
general
during
late
of bi-
pests.
will
directly or
ties
no longer function
as
must
it
activi-
is
JUVENILE
in
usually
Wings and
the result.
Numerous
tail
birds,
buffy gray
a decade,
plain,
band a
solid
sides,
deeper brown.
slight
spots
of
the same.
On
larger.
The
hindneck the
the
in
on the wing
coverts,
The
in
primaries,
four
longest
quills.
The
are
rectrices
transversed
by
what
irregular
with a vague
bands of
medium
the
dull
light
grayish
buff
to
buff,
tail
suffused
quills
are
disks
sides of the
lores
Sometimes they
night.
buffy
coloration
The
more
often
from
with
just
their
heads
sense
of
courtliness,
recover
its
erect
pose
AMERICAN
HAWK OWL
.1
British
Columbia,
Canada,
November
\.
1913.
Number 377-A
the
sit
are
indistinctly streaked
extends
will
these
day or
the
XI. I
commonly)
166
Facial
darkness,
The
white.
buff
full
XIII
ROi
Number 379
Burrowing Owl
'
/97c
*~<
half-opened
with
gesticulation
At
wings.
times
the
on
practically
is
fly
will
it
danger
of a
is
more
severe nature,
the
If
its
cunicularia
is
has a very peaceable disposition toward other Burrowing Owls, even outside the immediate family
among
trait
ground
much
very
rare
amid
Owl
dislikes cultivated
colonies of
The Burrowing
squirrels.
many
a haven.
often perches on
it
sought underground.
Burrowing
Owl
although
colonies,
toward gregariousness
still
exists
inclination
the
among them.
Scores
of
communal groups
little
Though
of
An
is
many
as
as
gather in
to
twenty birds
abundance of
Expansive,
treeless,
unbroken
prairies
and
virgin
more
like
its
take
dis-
up
available.
in
food
the
contrary,
there
snake
is
is
mammal
an enemy which
search of Burrowing
Owl
or the reptile.
may
enter the
The
eggs or nestlings,
The
rattle-
burrow
in
or while
squirrels.
prairie
same burrow,
XLIII
it
is
On
dog happen
to disappear into
when danger
PYGMY OWL
simply because
CALIFORNIA
ARIZONA PYGMY
OWL
Glaucidium gnoma gnoma Wagler. Female. Vicinity of Bernardino, Cochise County, Arizona, October 22, 19 17. A.O.U.
Number 379-D
Wc stern
mound
initial
when
(see
it
an enemy from
its
burrow
Burrowing Owl
167
way, or
it
may immediately
munal group,
some
come from
an agitated
When
its
their
in
a com-
and
al-
to
get
anxiety
instant's
pause
uncanny accuracy
with
Upon
contact with
with an
While
this
hasten
off to
another burrow-
Where enemies
balance and
for
(if
uses
burrow.
Natural
enemies
include
on the highways.
prey
weasels,
ferrets,
occasional
passing,
often harassing
it
it
Owls
away,
it
pugaea
attack
will
an enemy,
con-
onto
back and
its
strike
it
its
is
most highly
Owl
hypugaea
will
extent,
the
adult
Speotyto
prey.
for
will take a
rodents
cunicularia
and
insect
elevation
trays
168
its
own
to the
may
it
Only
if
take
underground
it
the prey
is
launch
in
itself
instant
At
will
this point
it
With
pursuit.
it
will
go into a
gaze
its
relatively
it
There
talons.
the prey
is
is
it
in
mid-air with
flight
its
while
Having accomplished
is
this,
trans-
the owl
flushes.
is
In most cases
when
prey animal
been
animal which
may
itself
have
More commonly
back
it
Burrowing Owl
most
their
land,
with
fly
will
it
to
beak
rowing
its
with
the
wings
its
It will
catch
brief
kill
use of poisons in
they
and
the
by cars as
first
of devastating bites
series
killed
in
that
as
tail
its
are concerned,
and
deeply
sink
is
the adult birds will wait until the young scurry under-
in
flies
location,
talons
and
jerk,
fly
the
flesh,
precise
talons.
spasmodic
initial
takes to wing,
it
the
to
directions
all
into the
in
down
head
its
dive underground.
habitat;
reptiles
craw
often confine
amphibians such
as
all
the
mound
creatures
common
to
and salamanders,
fish,
well-broken remains of
fish,
scorpions.
crabs,
The
Burrowing Owl
frogs
^ M
A'
fO^.
t*.*-
k^V
6\nc(
Ca ***4
(fWj
Green
diet of the
widely
is
run
in
the
parent
eagerness.
bowling each
bird,
The parent
the
enough
Insects
ets,
larvae,
crickets
and
bugs,
all
others.
Additional
Scorpions,
invertebrates
and
centipedes
Minnows
Fish
other small
of
especially
fish,
and amphibians
Reptiles
Lizards of
venomous
salamanders, and toads.
Mammals
Banner-tailed
ground
squirrels
house
mice,
meadow
and house
varieties,
horned toads,
young
prairie
dogs,
it
grasshopper
mice,
young
all
sparrows of
larks,
grosbeaks,
vireos,
own
to their
when
western
but
size,
the food
demands
of
Some
succulent
the
fruits
of
fruits
prey
Large
prey
is
ripped
into
hypugaea
cunicularia
more than
available. Therefore,
its
chunks
first,
for
followed
it
is
It
more
is
consume con-
will
own weight
prey daily,
in
persistently
when
littered
it
and a ground
Young owls
nevertheless
that
wait
jo
flight
in
than
bird
Fecal
charcoal.
are
more
nature of circling
in the
When
it
Then
the
interval
of
rubbing their
underground,
but
there
walk
are
When
occasional
mound
off the
instances
of
this
onto
ground
level
that copulation
for
ing
Owl mates
for
is
is
be-
week.
to a
life,
It
but
if
the
mate of one
is
killed,
ANNUAL BROODS,
NEST,
NESTING HABITS
is
two sparrows,
is
outside
inter-
the
will
squirrel.
are
flights
if
burrow,
fly
keep
well
but
sharp
is
four
on the hunt
not hungry
in the offing.
its
Speotyto
fortunate
is
alone to devour
and are usually smooth and brown. They are regurgitated without any apparent difficulty anywhere the bird
happens to be, in the burrow or outside, and as a result
the main chamber and tunnel as well as the outside
area around the mouth of the burrow are usually well
birds normally
possible, the
whole.
left
above-ground mating.
Whenever
usually
is
many
Vegetable matter
first
it
mice,
especially
claim
to
fighting over
little
sandpipers,
least
is
species,
their
in peace.
in
rats,
white-footed
many
species),
in
mound, and
the same way;
Defecation
in rapidly
intercept
to
over
other
directly to the
flies
manner
a comical hop-and-flutter
and
if
the
The
Burrowing Owl
nest itself
is
if
first
is
destroyed,
is
the eggs
first.
chamber
larged
at the
mammal which
own
burrow
the
more likely,
dog or other
far
itself or,
of a prairie
its
somewhat
oval-
The
use.
is
usually
is
downward
for
in
diameter and
usually about
six.
down,
straight
two or three
it
feet
greatly,
much
and though
nesting
in
for
mere four or
chamber
many
from entry
five feet
to vary
it
may
chamber
be a
cases the
as
will
itself
and
be only ten or
make
at other times
it
will follow
chamber
moved
liberately
Even
is
chamber
nesting
eight inches to as
and about
chamber to
The
nest
to
six
its
much
usually
is
Color
Pure white
flea
somewhat domed
floor
is
in
considerable
may be
there
quantities
a layer of
of
as
it
dried
deep
as
The
cattle
to bring in
also brings
dung
until
this material,
along with
bits
it
in-
Shape
nearly globular.
Texture
smooth shelled;
at
granulated.
The
more
so
than
all
may
be heavily
in
species.
Size
Roughly about the size of pigeon eggs, a
measurement of 42 eggs yielded the averages of 32.9
mm. (1.3") in length and 27.3 mm. (i-i") in width.
Extremes included
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
length:
33-1
length:
28.4
width:
28.0
width
24.8
Interval of egg-laying
that
can be effectively
or,
the
roof.
all
of
formation.
them
excrement.
from a minimum of
from the
all
of
nearly always
is
eight inches
number
successful.
hole.
The
how
understand
difficult to
horseshoe
a sort of
into
so,
will
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
(1.3")
(1.1")
(1.1")
(1.0")
laid
Egg-laying dates
earliest,
May
and
June
Middle area (Kansas/Colorado) earliest, March 29;
normally between May 14 and June 6.
latest July 1
Western area 'California) earliest, March 20; latest,
June 17; normally between April 14 and May 2.
16.
Western Burrowing Owl is improving the exburrow or constructing its own, which it may do
If the
isting
on rare occasions,
it
tunnel
INCUBATION AND
BROODING CHARACTERISTICS
mound
of
in of nest-bed material,
The
earth
soil.
when such
is
introduced by the
is
Incubation
is
almost
equally
divided
when
basis
side
by
side.
However,
term of incubation
is
have stated
as short a time as 21
it is
egg, the
Some
days, but
either 28 or 29 days.
LIFE
CHARACTERISTICS
S umber
not begin
fifth
EGGS
regular
same time,
may
since incubation
authorities
between the
fairly
laid
Newly hatched
primarily
Western Burrowing
Owl
on
the
birds
main feather
tracts
with
soft,
'7'
ton and
ward
May
include Baja
California.
Winters over
much
and Great
southern
Louisiana,
southern
it
Plains regions.
will
move
into
and
the
Mississippi,
Panama
ern
(Chiriqui), Chile,
and Argentina.
New
New
Hampshire, Massachusetts,
ginia.
MIGRATION
Most
birds
in
the
all
central
on a
and
residents.
southward
in
midautumn,
movement
definite
migrating
at
night
only.
down which
short gray-white
fairly
darker at the
is
shows through,
By about
plumage appears on
from Oregon
to
is
said to be absent
November through
al-
from
April.
feather
until,
This
tracts.
wings,
tail,
gradually
spreads
distinctive
juvenal plumage
first
Markings: Juvenile)
August. At
the contour
this
which
time there
plumage
is
(see
is
sides, scapulars,
The young
to first-winter
and wing
birds are
still
is
plumage, beginning
on the
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
well clad in
Coloration and
coverts.
flightless
when they
insects
first
ing
its
172
variety of attitudes
Owl
burrow
Burrowing Owl
and posturingS
of the Florida
De Soto County,
Florida.
at
the
Burrow-
mouth
of
i-o'i^
/.e^^.
I/O
1
-]
*.#.
BURROWING OWL
FLORIDA
Florida Burrowing
Owl
distinctly undulative
considerably
is
not
less
direct
and
more
and
dips
rises
and
It
hypugaea, although
SCIENTIFIC
NAME AND
or
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION
Speotyto cunicularia ftoridana Ridgway. Original description: Speotyto cunicularia var. Floridana
4,
Number
yards in one
fifty
manner
more than forty
it
it
Most
flight.
in front of its
for
fly
when
often,
burrow,
it
startled
will fly in a
its
own.
Ridgway,
(n.s.
14
No.
Manatee County,
WEIGHT
Florida.
cunicularia
tyto
its
own
subspecies,
the
since
this
owl as a
Subspecies average
than as a Speo-
right, rather
differences
are
fication be
would be Speotyto
TOTAL LENGTH
floridana.
Subspecies average:
222.6
mm.
(8.8")
nearly
an
OTHER NAMES
cattle
owl
Because
its
WINGSPAN
it is
mm.
cattle.
palmetto owl
Since
it
to 590.6
mm.
(20.9")
as
compared
sandhill owl Because of the mound of sand it deand stands upon at the entrance to its burrow.
posits
mm.
(6.2").
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
The upperparts
sandy-colored
less
much
TAIL LENGTH
of
mm.
(3.0").
colored.
The
brown toward
The
the
than those
feathered, the
less
beak
is
tail
BEAK LENGTH
wing edges.
shorter,
much
and
the
mm.
larger.
fo.6")
as
compared
to
13.9
mm.
(0.5")
15.5
for the
Western form.
FLIGHT PATTERN
LEGS
Burrowing Owl
differs in many respects from that of the Western Burrowing Owl. Where the flight of the latter bird is rela-
The
flight
tively level
'74
pattern
and
direct,
of
if
the
Florida
somewhat
The
naked.
What
than that
Burrowing Owl
tarsi
little
VOICE
Essentially similar to Speotyto cunicularia
and
much
higher quality
differs in structure,
WH1I1-
stuttering
of
sort
following,
whoodle-oodle-oodle-ittt! ,
with
and
cry
the
as
in
is
whit-whit
note
final
this call
CHARACTERISTICS
hypugaca
slightly
hypugaca, but
cularia
still
than
Communal
Speotyto
is
principally
active
cuni-
in
late
note absent.
Generally speaking,
more
therefore
easily
less
more
bend
inclined to
Burrowing Owl
Florida
the
is
easily frightened
less
its
burrow, but
It
is
much
and
and often
the
size,
little
or voice,
quite definitely
It
tends to preen
Owl
the upperparts,
female
itself
more
extensively
mound,
it
remarkably
as
yet
it
Florida
this
if
yawn-
ing, frequently
is
and
HABITAT
sharply defined.
flight
larly
much more
Mostly prefers
treeless,
burrow
MORTALITY
which are
spotted here and there with small marshes, hammocks,
and interconnecting ponds.
line.
is
It
likes
wide-open
tracts
If
satisfy
killed,
their
almost
enough food
can and
will
sufficient
food
upon
the smallest
and devour
it.
This
if
The male
Florida Burrowing
among
in whitish.
mainder
male birds
The
throat
deep brownish
and both
themselves.
is
far
adult
The
manner
murmuring softly
to be a worried
females,
re-
rows with
and
loose
soft,
soils of
those
of the Western
los.
ranchers
of the vent.
cattle
grayish
generally
grayish
what seems
in
other
Because the
brown
is
with
Owl
more
many of these little owls are shot bywho object to the holes they make, into which
may step with resultant injury.
Unfortunately,
Florida Burrowing
Owl
'75
mound
is
it
struck
rarely
more surprising
quently
Unafraid of
nevertheless
in
will dig
owl
vehicles, this
by one. This
is
the
all
at all infre-
feet of a busy
built their
truck
traffic,
including tractor-trailer
rigs
feet,
It
feet
was possible
human
be
carefully
to
at
literally
unruffled,
itself
moving
flight,
although a walk-
its
fled.
EGGS
Generally, fewer eggs are laid by Speotyto cunicularia
floridana than by Speotyto cunicularia hypugaea, with
five or six
by 26.3
small snakes,
feeds
mostly on
in-
especially
sects,
floridana
Rarely,
if
size,
mm.
(1.0")
in
cunicularia
clutch.
OWL
Speotyto
common
more than
earliest to
May
25 at the
latest,
beetles
Island.
MIGRATION
Non-migratory.
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
Owl,
Owl
far
digs
own
it
Of
benefit in
its
mammal
are so
craft at
will use
176
their legs.
Burrowing Owl
major Florida
airports.
it
The
air-
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
This
being
SPECIES
ORDER:
STRIGIFORMES
FAMILY:
STRIGIDAE
GENUS:
Micrathene Coues
SPECIES:
whitneyi (Cooper)
is
much
Owls (Otus asio sp.) and even smaller than the Pygmy
Owls {CHaucidium gnoma sp.). It is distinctive from the
Pygmy Owls in that the tail is much shorter and, though
coloration is similar, it is generically more like the Burrowing Owls (Speotyto cunicularia sp.). It is dichromatic, with a brown phase and a gray phase. Whitney's
Elf Owl is little larger than a chickadee and can comfortably perch upon a drinking straw.
Rank
among
in size
SHAPE AT REST
Owl
Whitney's Elf
SUBSPECIES
sition
a house sparrow,
size of
whitneyi (Cooper)
WHITNEY'S ELF
OWL
idonea (Ridgway)
its
is
it
nature
it
it
fluffy
tail is
very short
SHAPE IN FLIGHT
In flight the
OWL
WHITNEY'S ELF
tail
tips.
when
its
This
little
owl gives
in flight,
although
movements.
FLIGHT PATTERN
SCIENTIFIC
The wings
DESCRIPTION
before
Micrathene whitneyi whitneyi (Cooper). Original deAthene whitneyi Cooper, Proceedings of the
scription:
California
Academy
of Sciences,
Series
I,
Volume
Arizona.
Former
scientific
swiftly
then
fly,
from one
perch
its
wings quickly
it
ing spot.
Athene
little
it flies
names:
It
beginning to
actually
along with
men from
perch to another.
birds:
whitneyi,
WEIGHT
Species average: 25.7 gr. (0.9 oz.
).
Female
Male
OTHER NAMES
owl For its diminutive size.
tecolote enano de cooper Mexican-Indian name
meaning "Cooper's Dwarf Owl."
elf
Whitney's Elf
Average
25.2 gr.
(0.9
Minimum
Maximum
17.0 gr.
(0.6 oz.
Rank
in
28.9 gr.
weight
oz.)
(1.0 oz.)
among
the
26.1
gr.
(0.9
17.3
gr.
(0.6 oz.)
30.6 gr.
eighteen
(1.1
oz.)
oz.)
species:
Eight-
eenth.
Owl
TOTAL LENGTH
naked.
ally
yellowish
mm.
(6.0").
Male
Average
Rank
mm
(5-8")
'55-0
1355 mm.
(5.3")
152.4
mm.
(6.2")
167.
Minimum
Maximum
Female
47-9
57
mm
(6.1")
mm.
mm.
(6.6")
The
gray
talons
are
quite
weak
The
slate-gray-to-black
only moderately
(6.0")
eenth.
The
are a bright
irides
WINGSPAN
(14.7").
369.7
Minimum
Maximum
353.1
Rank
379.7
mm.
mm.
mm.
Female
(14.6")
377.2
(13.9")
373.8
(15.0")
nowhere nearly
Male
Average
man-
Owl wears
mm.
and
curved,
an owl.
for
in total
coloration.
short,
fairly
are small
feet
in
382.3
mm.
mm.
mm.
in
(14.9")
the location
of prey.
as
Vision
(14.7")
is
is
important as hearing
its
at
vision.
(15.1")
in
eenth.
mm
Female
99.1
Minimum
Maximum
98.8
100.4
mm.
mm.
mm.
Rank
icing
length
cavities are
3-9")-
Male
Average
in
Ear
(3.9")
100.3
(3.9")
100. o
(4.0")
102.0
among
the
mm.
mm.
mm.
(40")
(4.0")
a result, hearing
(4.0")
eighteen
is
superb.
species:
Eighteenth.
MOLT
TAIL LENGTH
Species average: 54.8
mm.
Whitney's Elf
(2.2").
Male
Average
53.0
Minimum
Maximum
50.8
Rank
56.6
mm.
mm.
mm.
in tail length
56.5
(2.0")
54.4
(2.2")
60.3
among
mm.
mm.
mm.
Female
(2.1")
Owl
(2.2")
(2.1")
(2.4")
eenth.
soft
plumage
flight
than
is
give
it
true of the
September and
is
which begins
style
of
is
BEAK LENGTH
Species average: 8.6
mm.
(0.3").
Male
Average
8.5
Minimum
Maximum
9.2
Rank
in
8.1
mm.
mm.
mm.
Female
(0.3")
8.7
(0.3")
8.2
(0.4")
9.3
mm.
mm.
mm.
(0.3")
(0.3")
(0.4")
eenth.
LEGS, FEET,
TALONS
A
The
bristles
and the
and appear
toes
virtu-
Elf
field
whitneyi whitneyi)
Mexico border.
Owl
Sketched on the
Owls [Micrathene
New
Mexico-Arizona-
^^
&*-
**
\V
l^l^^
r
*w
'/is;.'
proach close
from
the
XXXVIII.) The
(sometimes
conspicuous
seven)
spots
(See
that.
shaft.
The
six
buffy- reddish
rectrices are
cinnamon
buff,
malar
areas.
cheek.
The
There
throat
more pronounced
is
in
and
in the suborbital
is
The underparts
than
are
generally
duskily
much
with
barred
cacti, mesquite,
in
among well-grown
much
at elevations of as
more often
cially to
sycamores, and
walnuts,
While
rises.
can be found
it
belly
buff.
is
and
rare
found below 5,500 feet and seems espefavor areas between 3,000 and 5,000 feet in
it
is
and
roosts
in
it
finds
it
saguaro cacti
in
in others.
narrow
by
grown with
Plate
shaft
insects attracted
especially
Color
five
of
tip
and chase
winds.
to campfires
Has
the glow.
well
hidden
in thick cover.
lines
Underwing
The
of
a dark-brownish
more
considerably more
particularly
coloration,
on the
tive coloration,
close range, as
which makes
it
it
its
protec-
virtually invisible,
even at
is
If danger
and brings one
back.
While
JUVENILE
it
ruddy
buffiness.
much
trichopsis trichopsis)
in
it
territorial
dispute.
Almost
al-
have
almost
invariably
been
witnessed
in
Now
who
Elf
Owl
will
squabble
is little
har-
decidedly
180
crepuscular
day
at
Elf
Elf
Owl {Micrathene
and near
Owl
its
made
in
whitneyi whitneyi)
in
posturings
at
l^-
Ow
uihit^cif*
'1
T.A^j,
u/lrttnt^i
S^t'-ta.W
:<Nb
Tend To be
Tailed
*.f.X
Un^
much
of
its
prey
its
almost
entirely
insects
is
EGGS
Number
captured
and somewhat
alighting.
in the talons
to
low
in tree
advertise
its
movement
or sound, at which
four.
Color
Roundly
On
ovate.
Finely
and moderately
granulated
glossy.
Size
egg-size
of 31
total
figures
mm.
23.5
attacks at once.
it
commonly,
less
Shape
Texture.
presence by
five.
flight,
plucked
Two
per nesting
of
(0.9")
mm.
27.5
(1.1")
in
and
length
Extreme measurements
in width.
in-
cluded:
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
being swallowed,
prey
jority of
brate
little
30.1
25.0
width:
26.3
width:
22.5
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
(1.2")
(
1.0")
(1.0")
(0.9")
much
a sparrow
as
hawk
life
owl
is
made up
and very
of insects
Egg-laying dates
normally between
Mainly
it
and
relatively dry
larvae.
loose,
54 hours between
May
14
May
and
June
16;
28.
eats caterpillars,
to
eggs-
and various
From 48
Interval of egg-laying
eats
its
length:
length:
Pellets
and
are
poorly formed,
in-
It is
egg
flight.
laid, since
of the parents
on the
it is
nest,
The
laid
first
ing her to hunt for herself while he takes his turn at in-
strictly
cubating.
still
largely wanting.
Some muted
calling origi-
nates during this time from the males, but these calls
are rather ventriloquial, increasing the difficulty of close
COAST PYGMY
XLV
observation.
OWL (Above)
Seattle,
ANNUAL BROODS,
NEST, NESTING
XLVI
is
available.
in height,
thirty.
woodpeckers
182
XI.VII
in the
same
nesting
flickers
and
tree or cactus.
November
19, 1970.
Number 380-A
XLVm
CACTUS OWL
ber 380
Elf
FERRUGINOUS OWL
northwest of
but
in
of
A.O.U.
Glaucidium gnoma swarthi Grinnell. Male. Cedar Hill, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, November 30, 1922.
HABITS
always nests
icinity
25, 19 16.
Owl
Num-
W%xv/4&
?{J.?UJL^
?(***l
pucx^i^-
LIFE
CHARACTERISTICS
Disappointingly
this
dainty
about the
little
known about
is
When
owl.
little
first
the nest
life
of
a man's
thumb and
down. The
first
clinging
to
plumage
is
the
the
of
tips
indistinguishable
practically
birds.
is
and
it
Prescott,
WHITNEY
ELF
OWL
ico.
On
rare occasions
it is
found
in the Big
Bend country
of Texas.
em
late
migrational flying
is
done
is
known,
all
at night.
MIGRATION
Migratory in the more northerly parts of
Almost
all
move southward
into
Mexico
in late
its
range.
the United
States
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
Although Whitney's Elf Owl
injurious
since
its
insects,
range
the
effects
is
a useful destroyer of
are
relatively
negligible
is
areas.
GREAT HORNED
XLIX
Bubo
virginianus
rirginianus
OWL
(Gmelin).
Male.
i,
Vicinity
1970.
of
A.O.U.
Number 375
Bubo
of
ST.
virginianus algistus
Tubutulik
Bubo
SCIENTIFIC
Number 375-G
LABRADOR HORNED
virginianus heterocnemis
of Charlottetown, Prince
1938.
DESCRIPTION
OWL
Edward
Island,
Canada, March
Micrathene
7,
description:
Texas Elf
Owl
whitneyi
Micropallas
idonea
(Ridgway).
whitneyi
idoneus
Original
Ridgway,
183
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
Considerably grayer in general coloration than WhitOwl (Micrathene whitneyi whitneyi), with all
ney's Elf
light
mon
markings considerably whiter and without cinnaand with all grays generally darker
or buffy traces,
in
April
5,
the
and while a
since
race.
The
type
on
then,
fair
number
little
comprehensive
study
of
It
the
is,
more aggressive
bird's
however,
in
nature
TEXAS ELF
OWL
U. S. National
Museum
Bulletin,
Number
184
50, Part 6,
ley of
Elf
Owl
NORTH
For
ferocity
itS
SPECIES
ORDER
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
Nyftea scandiaca is not only the largest North American owl, but one of the most strikingly beautiful owls in
STRIGIFORMES
STRIGIDAE
FAMILY:
Though
differing
its
range for
which
GENUS:
Nyctea Stephens
SPECIES:
scandiaca (Linnaeus)
lightest
its
some resemblance
Horned Owl, however,
coloration, bears
Arctic
SNOWY OWL
lacking in the
erect posture.
the
is
SNOWY OWL
aquiline shape.
which
rusticolus obsoletus)
more
lago-
its
like
the
which are
is
gen-
pus albus) in
the
to
is
less
Snowy Owl.
Snowy Owl
SCIENTIFIC
Differences: Size,
Markings: Juvenile.)
DESCRIPTION
Rank
in
over-all
size
among
the
eighteen
species:
First.
Volume
i.
1758,
SHAPE AT REST
The Snowy Owl
ground or on a
is
slight
rise
OTHER NAMES
American snowy
owl
Used more
in
former times
although
birds,
all
are of the
rooftops,
posts
It
haystacks,
has a very
as
It actually
squats rather
than
sits
its
legs,
ermine.
ghost owl
flies
For
its
it
great white
owl
le hibou blanc
For
its
coloration
and
SHAPE IN FLIGHT
size.
Again there
Eskimo name
for this
owl.
is
heaviness
along
bodv and no
visible
neck shape.
are
Snowy Owl
'85
WINGSPAN
mm.
(63.5").
Male
Average
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
in
Female
mm.
mm.
mm.
1,577.4
1,316.7
1,656.4
(62.1")
1,643.8
(51.9")
1,567.5
(65.3")
1,81 6.5
mm.
mm.
mm.
(64.8")
(61.8")
(71.6")
First.
FLIGHT PATTERN
Snowy Owl's
flight
quite
is
full,
is
much
most always as
flights,
it
its
head
so far
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
and
it
will
it
(17.3")
477.3
its flight.
When
When
mm.
appears to be fac-
mm.
mm.
mm.
(17.2")
(16.3")
(18.8")
First.
(9.5")
Male
it
Average
233.7
Minimum
Maximum
230.4
Rank
240.3
in tail
mm.
mm.
mm.
length
Female
(9.2")
250.3
(9.1")
248.3
mm.
mm.
(9.5")
261.7
mm
among
9.9")
9.8")
I0 -3")
414.0
TAIL LENGTH
will
(15.6")
and
rises
437.4
far
is
forth
Not uncommonly
around that
in
Female
(16.1")
its
409.0
flies,
it
mm.
395-3 mm.
4397 mm.
Average
faster
(16.7'
Male
mm.
falcon,
it
BEAK LENGTH
sound of
suspected prey.
birds
mm.
it
is
(1.1").
Male
WEIGHT
Average
25.5
Minimum
Maximum
24.6
Rank
beak
25.7
in
mm.
mm.
mm.
is
and
lores.
Female
(1.0")
27.9
(1.0")
26.7
(1.0")
28.2
length
among
the
mm.
mm.
mm.
(1.1")
(1.1")
(1.1")
eighteen
species:
Fourth.
Species average: 1,659.8
Male
Female
Average
1,612.9 gr.
(56.5 oz.)
1,706.7 gr.
(59.7 oz.)
Minimum
Maximum
1,448.0 gr.
(50.7 oz.)
1,593.0 gr.
(55.8 oz.)
1,839.9 g r
(644
2,002.6 gr.
(70.1
Rank
in
weight
among
oz.)
oz.)
SNOWY OWL
TOTAL LENGTH
large
FIELD
mm.
(24.7").
Male
Average
592.8
Minimum
Maximum
53 1.
Rank
J
86
707.2
in total
mm.
mm.
mm.
length
gratory
(20.9")
629.9
mm
when
(27.9")
766.9
mm.
while
2 4-8")
(30.2")
it
flight,
field
sketches
the artist
artist to
Female
mrn (26.1")
-
allowed the
closely.
663.4
Illinois,
approach very
(23.4")
among
SKETCHES
were made.
moved
It
showed
its
long mi-
agitation
only
shortly afterward
sitjht to
Snowy Owl
the southwest.
(1,
k\
'^-^-4lw
f
\n
TALONS
LEGS, FEET,
The leg muscles
Snowy Owl is quite
and yet
opposed
of the
to the
still
Owl
Great Gray
late
The
distinctly
hairlike
though the
In not-so-distant
emarginated.
his-
tory, the
bracelets
VOICE
great
the bird
The
vision of the
Snowy Owl
is
probably as good at
is
out
swells
rather
raises
four
out
belches
violently
well forward,
It leans
enormously,
throat
its
distances
given while
calls are
and
tail,
its
bellow-
(usually)
ing hoots,
sounding
like:
owl has
in the
startlingly
brilliant,
set
slightly
will,
irides
and
closer to
and though
an
dreamy appearance
insipid,
fatuous,
according to some,
or,
its
When
WHOOOO,
is
is
ameter, which
especially
is
when compared
to the diminutive
much
ment on the
smaller.
The
hearing of
ear cavities
this
owl
is
is
is
cry,
this
threaten-
is
at
WUH-WUHWUHWUH.
will
preceded
be
If
Not
slaught
is
sound
something
by
boy whistling
fingers.
infrequently
succeeded
or
extremely keen.
made by
quaver
asymmetrical as in
Saw-whet
is
the
beginning of the
ear openings are only about one-half inch in di-
it.
bird,
The
and
forth simultaneously
and
bird
WHOOOO-WHOOOO-WHOOOO-
piercing
through
shrilly
attack,
call
this
very
his
actual on-
the
fierce
KRUFFF-GUH-GUH-GUK,
like
it
will
occasionally
in
MOLT
its
One
scandiaca
may
88
ally
this
throat.
note. It
accompany
in
other
call,
possibly a
mating
cry,
is
worthy of
a series of remarkably doglike barkings, usuthree syllables but repeated numerous times
is
and sounding
like
WUFFF-WUFFF-WUCK WUFFF-
WUFFF-WUCK.
Despite these distinctive
cries,
the
Snowy Owl
much
grations southward.
Snowy Owl
is
most
of the year.
its
cyclic mi-
JUVENILE
The
sooty gray,
Young
much
barred on the
lighter.
CHARACTERISTICS
just a bit
and
voice of the
and undependable
is still
is
Often
place
Nyctea scandiaca
roughly 30 per
Adult birds
in the
Life
live
wild
-
much
as
7 years later.
on the male
defined. Spotting
more
On
much
its
entire
aberrative in nature
be
will occasionally
is
is
plumage
distinctly
so fugitive that
it
adult
female
Decidedly
throat,
where
slate
center
of
darker
facial
breast,
disks,
legs,
the
sides
and
male
of neck,
feet.
Else-
for example,
si-
will
it
has been
size.
known
ani-
kill
On
to
numerous occasions,
kill and eat foxes that
and there are even unverified reports that it will attack animals as fierce and large
as badgers and young wolverines
though how successful such attacks might be, if they occur, is a matter of
conjecture. It is not at all unusual for Snowy Owls to
rip apart and devour great quantities of fur-bearing animals which they find dead in traps, and for this reason
they are not held in very high regard by professional
trappers. During the periodic southward migrations
they have been known actually to enter chicken houses
and kill full-grown hens which outweigh them by two
traps,
or three times.
powerful
Snowy Owl
in
flier,
especially
most cases
is
during migrations,
nonetheless inclined to
rise in
the
make
the ground
They
luks.
ground up
are frost-heaves
which
a section of
raise
flat
much
this
two
as
terrain.
It
is
owl species
nests.
than
is
hun-
Characteristics.)
very shy,
if
among
is
several
traordinarily patient,
it
as
bird.
nestling birds.
Snowy Owl
slight at best
is
The
rectrices.
Where human
is
molt of
of
this coloration
from a distance. The males, when not pure white, usually have a scattering of slaty spots on the back and near
There
and
cent
sex,
lightest of
male may be
same
are
much
much more
to
feet.
(and juveniles)
very
is
and the
which
and marking
brown
among
ritories
themselves and
of several birds
to
it
is
overlap.
and
much
of
it
in
highly diurnal
its
hunting in
the
south
is
is
brightly shining.
Snowy Owl
189
While
it
Owl
hunter gets
mans
Bubo
concerned
are
and,
virginianus sp.
Horned Owls
the
unlike
),
ceptive because
it
always very
is
it
send
will
listens
it
its
especially
alert,
for
side to
trate the
will not
normally
The Eskimos
the bird
itself
for
its
and
still
kill
At one time
was fashionable
Chicago to
mounted Snowy Owls. Many still have
it
have several
ness.
down
them.
Where
has
little
but such
Roosting, as noted,
when
the bird
tions,
however,
roof peaks of
is
is
in the
it
almost always on
pingaluks
low buildings,
posts,
low tree
stumps,
branches, haystacks, earth mounds, and similar prominences. Its habitat preference
lichen-covered
is
and
it
remain
will not
in
now and
again
it
will
nests
and
is
will
destroy the
them
off
if
their presence
is
menace to
more successful in
their depredations against Snowy Owls than are the
four-legged predators. There have even been cases
detected in time. Skuas and jaegers are also a
stoops
it
its
and
tight-fisted foot.
Such
oc-
fields
Aggressiveness
eggs,
is
the
will
fall
if
fly
directly at the
head
foes.
of the
is
The
downward with outstretched talons when prey is detected. The owl has also been known to watch hunters
from a distance, and when a grouse or ptarmigan is
downed by a shot, to fly in swiftly, snatch up the bird
and carry it away before the hunters can reach it. Al-
in-
jury.
erful talons
and beak
igo
in-
Snowy Owl
KM
vc
^ 0k
"""I* 5?
e.i
distances while
been known to
When
ally.
carefully until
and puts
it
repeated
until
then
alights,
it
the
at
flies
it
once
it
eventu-
it
to flight again.
any more,
flush
does occur),
this
it
act
this
is
Owl
will
animal out
owl
itself
Even when
for
make repeated
will
while
is,
attacks
attacks
is
killed, usually
until
fi-
the brain.
itself is little
in the talons
its normal hunting method of perching on a pingawhere it sits quietly for hours watching and listening, the slightest sound will cause the head to snap and
lock the gaze on the exact spot the sound came from,
and at once the attack is launched. Sometimes the owl
In
its
hunting methods.
It will
perch
When
grown
attacking
larger
animal,
on the
such
as
a fully
fleeing animal's
back
make
flesh. If
the owl
an anchor
same time
still
it
will flap
its
it
may
use
it
as
animal
is
its
neck
When
feet are
702
it
will lie
fly
much
own weight
as the owl.
or
Once
mammals and
in
abun-
birds
make
game
especially waterfowl,
mammals,
birds,
and
Among
poultry.
and eat
mice of many varieties, lemmings, rats, moles, ground
squirrels, prairie dogs, Arctic hares, snowshoe hares, cottontail rabbits, muskrats, woodchucks, entrapped foxes,
squirrels, and jack rabbits.
Birds known to have been killed and eaten include
the
ring-necked
geons,
this
pheasants,
domestic
to kill
ducks,
chickens,
plovers, snipe,
pi-
young
mourning doves,
squaw ducks, mallards, longspurs, buntings, grebes,
old
crows,
Owls,
Short-eared
Long-eared
Owls,
Screech
and other
game
varieties of shorebirds,
and gulls.
any type
marine
animals
almost
Fish and small
of
that the owl can catch will be taken readily, and the
Snowy Owl is known to seek out and devour carrion,
songbirds, upland
birds, waterfowl,
is
in
it
it
a few
more
Snowy Owls have
short of incredible.
luk,
to
at-
tack.
than
it
and throat
if
clearing
its
mouth
of residue.
distances
among
Snowy Owl
call as
he
flies
and
if
a receptive female
reply.
and
is
alights within a
few
where she is
Here he bows in a
to
flies
feet of her.
tips as
Courtship
is
and copulation
brief
is
repeated numerous
week.
and converge at the longer axis. What signifimay have is not yet known.
Size
The eggs of Nye tea scandiaca are the largest of
all owl eggs in North America. Based on the measurements of 59 eggs, they average 59.5 mm. (2.3") in
length and 45.5 mm. (1.8") in width, with extreme
measurements of:
the shell
cance
this
It
It
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
is
mated for
remain more or less in com-
if
Interval
not disturbed.
60.5
47.8
width:
50.6
width:
41.6
hours, but
41
is
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
(2.4")
(1.9")
(2.0")
(1.6")
The average
egg-laying
0/
tween eggs
length:
length:
duration
varies
this
ANNUAL BROODS,
NEST, NESTING
laid
Egg-laying dates
HABITS
Snowy Owls
if
the
rest.
May
earliest,
28;
latest
and
are single-brooded
Arctic Alaska:
egg to be
last
is
be-
considerably,
first is
destroyed. Nesting
is
may
and a few
more
of-
much
sitting in as
seems
have
to
little
may be
as half
effect
On
Snowy Owl
defecating,
and
is
Incubation
some
is
some
it
Term
first
of incubation
made
laid,
is
also a
but
until
mat-
of as short a du-
Most
now
egg
commence
does not
authorities
downed
ily
last
incubation
is
strictly
of the family.
a messy
scattering
LIFE
CHARACTERISTICS
EGGS
Number
laid,
As few
per nesting
as three
while as
many
from seven
Color
as thirteen
more than
have been
ten.
laid,
may
eggs
it
The average
be
Equally,
five.
unusual
is
clutch
is
to ten eggs.
Texture
and
moving them, they tend to wander.
Many will fall off the pingaluk and perish from exposure. The mortality rate among young birds from this
cause alone
for
shell
texture
Snowy Owl
which begin
may
The
late oval.
and without
At
Shape
relatively erect.
sit
so
are
down
thighs.
Snowy Owl
down
for about
begins to be pushed
deep sooty-gray
on the sides, flanks, and
The natal down remains on the tips of this sooty
down.
laid.
It
is
fluffy,
particularly long
193
"
,.--
northern Quebec (Fort Chimo), northern Labraand northern Greenland (south to Hum-
chill
dor
Okak
Sound on
the
east).
Irregular winter migrant to northern Alaska, Saskatchewan, North Dakota, Minnesota, Ontario, New
York, southern Quebec, southern Labrador, and New-
1m,
foundland.
Occasionally migrates as far south as southern Cali-
Texas
gia,
South Carolina.
Casual
in
Bermuda.
MIGRATION
Sometimes the migration of the Snowy Owl
extensive and far-reaching, but mostly
very
is
negligible or
is
it
is
normal cycle
The
much
two years
second migration
worn
until finally
off
it
is
be mi-
tier
summer
down
is
In some years so
will
although as a rule
succession,
in
SNOWY OWL
Sometimes there
grations
when
is
after hatching.
The
this
ocean
wander
southward.
Some
postnuptial molt.
wander
off
on
their
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
own
Indisputably, the
age to
game
populations in
bird
considerable
the
dam-
north and
far
to
losses
profes-
Circumpolar
in
its
Island,
sula), northern
Ellesmere
northernmost Greenland
Island
(Grinnell
Penin-
and
rats
throughout
to serve a useful
who
still
rely
on
its
range.
purpose
its
flesh
The
to the
and eggs
which it
it is
species.
'94
(Chur-
Snowy Owl
shame
it
is
now
to destroy.
a protected
d'amerique
eperviere
chol'ette
la
French-Ca-
Hawk Owl
of
America."
owl
stub
SPECIES
After
its
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
ORDER
STRIGIFORMES
FAMILY:
STRIGIDAE
GENUS:
Surnia Dumeril
SPECIES:
ulula
and
flight
{Linnaeus)
but tends to
It
SUBSPECIES
somehow
rarely
tail, it
erect like
sits
also
It
many
is
AMERICAN HAWK
the
alert.
and
owls. Breast
as
tail.
Rank
OWL
most owls
lacks
tight
impeccably dressed.
and
head,
in a
sit
is
it
streamlined
rather
neat,
although
at rest,
caparoch (Muller)
appearance and
in general
over-all
in
among
size
the
eighteen
species:
Ninth.
SHAPE AT REST
Owl
long
has no ear
tail
downward when
straight
Hawk
tufts,
the bird
is
perched. Even
its
SCIENTIFIC
it
to
likes
sit
uppermost
hawks do. It
when perched and lacks the
daylight atop the
in bright
DESCRIPTION
frequently
flicks
its
tail
conifer, as
Strix
caparoch
P.
(Muller).
L.
S.
Original
descrip-
Muller, Natursystema,
The
tail
in
is
jerking
is
what seems
raised rather
at
area.
SHAPE IN FLIGHT
hudsonica.
Here the
similarity
OTHER NAMES
Canadian
owl
its
tail
in
silhouette
lo-
flight
it
to
hawk
continues,
decidedly wedge-shaped.
is
resembles
most
an
since
its
pointed and
overgrown
In flight
sparrow
cation.
to
FLIGHT PATTERN
falcon.
hawk owl
Without
specific
hudsonian owl
The wingbeat
geographical location
is
name.
After
its
life-zone range.
of
American
flight
Hawk Owl
is
with
straight-line
directness.
Although
*95
occasionally
mal
When
throws
it
leaving
arc
which
carries
another conifer.
woodland
is
much
the
to
it
Its flight
rises in
it
stub-top
(7.0").
Male
a smooth, grace-
leafless
mm.
ful
its
itself
swiftly
its
TAIL LENGTH
like
gliding.
little
is
conifer stub,
hover
will
it
flight the
mm
Female
786 mm.
Average
177.9
(7-")
Minimum
Maximum
1730 mm.
(6.8")
175.5
mm
mm.
(7.1")
184.8
mm.
Rank
of
180.4
in tail
length
among
(7.0")
(6.9")
(7.3")
sharp-shinned hawk,
The
flight
is
BEAK LENGTH
mm.
(0.8").
Male
birds
measured
Average
19.2
Minimum
Maximum
18.2
20.0
Rank
beak
in
mm.
mm.
mm.
Female
(0.8")
19.5
(0.7")
18.3
(0.8")
20.1
among
length
mm.
mm.
mm.
the
(0.8")
(0.7")
(0.8")
eighteen
species:
Eighth.
WEIGHT
Species average: 238.6 gr. (8.4 oz.).
Male
Average
225.6 gr.
Minimum
Maximum
265.8 gr.
Rank
in
194.1
weight
Female
(7.9
oz.)
(6.8 oz.)
gr.
LEGS, FEET,
251.6 gr.
(8.8 oz.)
202.3 g r
(7
oz
among
oz.)
The
(9.3
and
legs
TALONS
feet of the
quite close,
atively
short,
tinctly
TOTAL LENGTH
mm.
16.9")
Male
Average
423.2
Minimum
Maximum
363.5
Rank
424.0
in total
mm.
mm.
mm.
length
Female
(16.7")
432.3
(14.3")
401.2
(16.7")
446.7
among
mm.
mm.
mm.
(17.0")
(15.8")
(17.6")
The
orange
the
in
iris
coloration.
The
are
eyes
slightly-
WINGSPAN
which
pression
mm.
^33.0").
Male
Average
835.9
Minimum
Maximum
777-5
Rank
in
mm.
mm.
mm.
Vision,
Female
the
of
especially
(32.9")
841.0
mm.
(33.1")
833.3
mm
(3 2 -8")
hawklike
in
the
characteristic
in
daytime and
at
this
size,
imbird.
twilight,
is
(30.6")
is
is
not, however, as
AMERICAN
-
Male
Average
218.4
Minimum
Maximum
224.5
Rank
ig6
in
212.7
Female
(8.6")
227.3
mm
(9-")
Owl
mm.
mm.
(8.4")
213.6
mm.
(8.4")
(8.9")
229.7
mm
(9
mm
HAWK OWL
FIELD STUDIES
(8.8").
")
American
Mud
was
American Hawk
meat and
Hawk Owl
captured by one
set
The owl
with
5,
oM*
N*"
\\N
-V^N
ft
^- f^c<
/>/?
c/
InchaiS
K i'lt*d
<**<:/
dec.,
co^
<
r
EARS AND HEARING
many
them
variations of
as well as a
wide variety of
numerous to attempt to
record here, but essentially similar to one another and
universally more hawklike than owl-like in tone and
single or multiple-note calls too
lacks
it
much
is
of the
North American
owls. The ear cavities are not covered by an operculum
(ear flap) as in other owls, and the ear cavities themselves are no larger than in any other bird of similar
auditory- sense possessed by the other
size;
in size or placement.
made by
sounds
at
delivery.
This owl
prey, but
it
is
is
The female
is
but there
is
no ap-
MOLT
There
are
no
ear
tufts,
the
being
small,
The plumage is
body contours, and much
tight,
the
to
fitted
The
owls.
flutings
Infant
mortality
quite low,
and most
is
The
and
several
general
coloration,
the
upperparts
are
very
The
spottings of white.
ranged
in rows,
spottings
and
much
particularly thick
pitched
ranged.
toward the
VOICE
This owl has a rather wide variety of vocal utterances and, as might be expected, most of them are
hawklike
in quality,
is
hawk's
cadence
whistled
cry,
ILLY. This
sounding
latter
call
is
not
unlike
the
sparrow
like
sometimes modulated
to
rear.
The back
is
pure brown,
but
the
rump
is
Each
deeper, rolling tone not too unlike the call of the Long-
eared
Owl
(Asio
otus
wilsonianus)
ILL-ILL-OOOOOOOO,
with the
last
Hawk Owl
ILL-ILL-
note sometimes
When
on the
hwkKWHEEEEEEEE!
98
common
NORTHWESTERN HORNED
.
Bubo
there are
American
Wind River in
Wind River County, Wyoming, DecemA.O.U. Number 375-J
vicinity of Dubois,
calls,
OWI.
LII
ber 30,
96 1.
Hawk Owl
siL+
tail
feather terminates
in
caught by hand.
man
where
buff white.
Irregularly
is
portions of
its
It
it
is
or crepuscular in
the
imperfect facial
disks
to
just
and
especially
feet
its
habits, occasionally
If
shot
it
will
it
at
fly
at
will take
a short, circling
beak.
The
chin
is
The
an unblemished
white, wide but not deep. The upper breast is very
densely barred in dark brown, with the barrings becoming more widely spaced toward the lower breast
and belly and the white becoming clearer, though
of lighter brown.
gular area
legs,
and
tawny buff
feet are
to light
a decided prefer-
swamp
of
dead
trees as well,
seems to
It
like areas
stub,
lookout
its
buff, indistinctly
is
The owl
muskeg, swamps,
likes
When
JUVENILE
finds a perch
it
Hawk Owls
is
very
The
rectrices are
more
foliage
hollow stub.
Because of
graceful owl
tall
living
fir
or spruce, or
LIV
HORNED OWL
Bubo
for a period
fir.
of years.
it
roost
will
in
large
A.O.U. Number
375-A
this
who
perch.
Some
are
as
as
killed
which
to
shoot.
Fortunately
the
bird
and so it is not
this form of vul-
particularly
endangered because of
nerability.
especially
frequently
the
kill
Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus sp.)
adult roosting American Hawk Owls at night. Martens,
fishers, and weasels kill a certain number of fledgling
birds,
human
Even
American
its
is
atop an exposed
rests
something
Rarely
Among
PACIFIC
and
will return
CHARACTERISTICS
is
it
it
will sit
or branches.
especially likes,
on such a perch for several consecutive hours. Actual roosting is done almost entirely
at night, in the same type of trees but usually lower,
closer to the trunk, and somewhat more hidden by
it
One
it
Sometimes
conifers, including
When
Hawk Owl
is
al-
99
wingbeats
the
at
intruder's
more swallowing
of undigestibles.
Pel-
They
easily.
liquid
its
perch.
OF PREY
Hawk Owl
Uncommonly
ulula caparoch
much
the
in
and certain
swift
the
of
attack, Surnia
its
tends to range
manner
in
hawk
Cooper's
or
the
maneuverability as
sunset.
on one of
is
more often
described above,
this
movement
of prey below.
seen,
the spot,
owl prefers
to
its
high
back
it
miss in
blueberry
its
barrens,
its
and
melodious
is
followed
by a
lowed
closely
as
a high-pitched,
dis-
notes fol-
like:
WITTA-TIT
WITTA-TIT WITTA-TIT. It may
W1TTA-T1T
sounding
and
much more
WHUT-TU-TU-OOO-ooo-ooo.
gentle
especially
also,
it
ANNUAL BROODS,
up and
Rarely
NEST, NESTING
HABITS
Hawk
Owl more
its
own
nest;
The
whistle
trilling
sometimes
but
call
owl can
this
His mating
attack.
strong,
about mid-March,
early as February.
rather
outstretched talons
to
usually
begins,
its
prey
The male
is
little
it
sit
When
carrying
method
its
if it is
level,
While hunting
is
is
talons
grip of the
is
quite
lift
its
Hawk
and well while carrying in their talons fullgrown ruffed grouse much larger than themselves. Although it rarely kills and eats small birds, those that
ally in a
rapidly
or crow as
its
dead
tree.
about 45
nest in a hollow
sists
more southerly
parts of
its
rats,
less
not
swallow
whole
it
200
much
in
the
manner
of a
generally does
hawk
mouse.
a
is
eaten
eating
its
American
ground.
The
American
Hawk Owl
is
all
and
cases,
single-brooded.
of the
tail
Hawk Owl
which, especially in
kestrel.
The
in the Field
sketch at upper
Museum
left
was
of Natural His-
^
A*U*d&w
Canada)
tic
earliest,
mally between
Southern
May
Areas
April 25;
May
4 and
(Alberta
latest,
18.
and central
to
Canada):
earliest,
southern
nor-
22;
ear-
May
liest,
9 and June
is
Incubation
egg to be
laid
is
believed
to
begin
with
the
days.
LIFE
CHARACTERISTICS
AMERICAN
HAWK OWL
They
first
EGGS
Number
rarely only
sometimes
an elongated oval.
Very smooth without trace of granulation,
Texture
From 56
Size
was 39-3
mm.
mm
gloss.
eggs measured,
the
average
length
('-5")
to slacken, alcries
size.
continues
An
angry
and
tail
about
late
June
plumage
following
early
spring
when
the
parent
birds
begin
1.2").
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Interval
of
length:
43.9
length:
34.3
width:
36.6
width:
30.3
less
(1.7")
(1.4")
(1.4")
Breeds
(1.2")
positively
Egg-laying dates
202
from
northern
Alaska
(Jade
Mountains,
northwestern
known, but
than 24 hours apart and prob-
egg-laying
believed to be no
Not
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
American
Hawk Owl
ward
to
northern
British
Columbia
(Atlin),
(Jasper,
Glenevis), east-central
Quebec
(Lochaber),
tac). Casual in
Montana
MIGRATION
central
Saskatchewan
(Hudson Bay Junction), northern Michigan (Isle Roysouthern
ale), central Ontario (Lake Temiskaming)
Alberta
and
summer
in
New
Brunswick
(Tabusin-
its
is
its
Winters southward to southern Canada and northern United States; casually to Washington
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
(Martin;,
and
New
more than
on rodents and
set
is
in largely
sufficiently
insects.
by
its
is
off-
summertime feeding
England.
is
either
immaterial or
American
Hank Owl
203
OTHER NAMES
pygmy owl
Without
specific
geographical
signifi-
cance.
After the
type of
terrain
inhabited.
SPECIES
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES
ORDER
STRIGIFORMES
FAMILY:
STRIGIDAE
GENUS:
Glaucidium Boie
SPECIES:
owl
in
Elf
Owl
smallest
many
in
Pygmy Owl
gnoma Wagler
sp.), the
aspects of
a pert
is
little
its
natural history.
long
a generally excitable
this
size,
SUBSPECIES
The
attitude.
Despite
diminutive
its
is
of North American owls. The Rocky MounPygmy Owl is the easternmost race of the five
Pygmy Owl subspecies north of Mexico, and it is generally much lighter in coloration than the more westfierce
tain
ROCKY MOUNTAIN
PYGMY OWL
pinacola Nelson
erly forms.
Rank
over-all
in
among
size
eighteen
the
species:
Seventeenth.
californicum Sclater
CALIFORNIA
gnoma Wagler
PYGMY OWL
ARIZONA PYGMY
SHAPE AT REST
OWL
grinnelli
Ridgway
quite
OWL
The
its
is
rarely recognized
held at
is
tail
tends to twitch
cited.
from the
distinguishable
VANCOUVER
PYGMY OWL
swarthi Grinnell
is
COAST PYGMY
and
it
an owl,
as
is
primarily
or dead tree.
tuftless
SCIENTIFIC
Glaucidium
uppermost
Hawk
it
en-
spire of a conifer
of
its
round,
gnoma
Glaucidium
pinacola
gnoma
Nelson.
pinacola
SHAPE IN FLIGHT
Original
Nelson,
de-
Pro-
at
sky,
ume
flier.
Much
like the
lofty
perch
with
204
American
DESCRIPTION
scription:
Much
Owl
{COLOR PLATE
it
Pygmy Owl
it
is
tips
is
become very
noticeable, but
is
not a silent
off just
curve to
a sweeping
in
rise
settle
TAIL LENGTH
it
probably a
is
less
little
little less
Its
direct in
mm.
flight
(2.5").
Male
hawk and
its
undulative than
the latter.
Average
61.0
Minimum
Maximum
58.8
Rank
64.0
in
tail
Female
mm.
mm.
mm.
length
(2.4")
66.9
(2.3")
63.6
(2.5")
among
mm.
mm.
mm.
71.3
(2.6")
(2.5")
(2.8")
teenth.
BEAK LENGTH
WEIGHT
mm.
The
(0.4").
coloration of
1.5 oz.),
Male
Female
than at the
Average
40.8
gr.
(1.4
oz.'
44.8 gr.
(1.6 oz.)
Minimum
Maximum
34.6 gr.
(1.2
oz.]
36.9 gr.
(1.3
Rank
46.8 gr.
weight
in
(1.6 oz.)
among
50.7 gr.
Male
oz.)
9.4
Minimum
Maximum
8.6
(1.8 oz.)
Average
the
tip.
teenth.
Rank
0.1
in
Female
mm.
mm.
mm.
(0.4")
9.8
(0.3")
8.9
(0.4")
10.3
mm.
mm.
mm.
(0.4")
(0.4")
(0.4")
teenth.
TOTAL LENGTH
Species average: 175.2
mm.
Male
Average
165.5
Minimum
Maximum
160.0
Rank
mm
Female
(6-5")
184.9
mm.
mm.
(6.3")
181.3
(6.9")
190.6
in total length
among
174.1
TALONS
LEGS, FEET,
(6.9 oz.).
mm.
mm.
mm.
The
(7.3")
(7.1")
(7.5")
like the
feet
beak
The well-curved
teenth.
colored
at
color,
tend toward
the
light
talons
base,
yellowish-brown
coloration.
sharp
and horn-
needle
are
slate
WINGSPAN
mm.
(15. 1").
Male
Average
377-7 mrn-
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
in
368.4
Female
(14-9")
mm.
(14.5")
386.3
381.
400.9
mm.
mm.
mm.
(15.2")
(15.0")
(15.8")
at
night.
The
in
are a pale
irides
yellow.
teenth.
mm.
(4.0").
Male
Average
100.9
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
in
enteenth.
99.8
106.0
mm
mm.
mm.
Female
U-")
I0I
(3.9")
101.3
(4.2")
106.8
-5
mm
The
Owl is
than
work
mm.
mm.
in
the
location
well in concert.
Pygmy
vision
senses
-
of
prey,
There
is
useful
although
both
(4-")
(4.0")
(4.2")
from
of
quite
considerable
and
relative
by
the
simulated
squeak of a mouse.
205
MOLT
This
little
The plumage
tufts.
much
more
is
than
so
in
quite as
or the American
alba pratincola)
ulula caparoch)
There
Hawk Owl
(Surnia
is
Au-
in late
is
less
recent study
has also indicated that for some reason not yet fully
understood, males feed
an annual
much more
basis)
VOICE
The
voice
of
this
owl
little
by a
characterized
is
Even
and
surprisingly
far-carrying
qualities.
and some
tone,
of
ity
two or three
summer than
more vocal
slightly
it
is
more vocal
miles.
in the spring
autumn than
the
and
though
majority of
of
known
how
It is
not
live
in the wild,
morning or evening.
Many of the notes uttered by Glaucidium gnoma
pinacola have a distinctly dovelike cooing quality to
them, though more penetrating. The most common of
these is a low trill with rolling timbre and sounding
like OOOOoooo-oooo-ooo-oo-o-o-o-o-o.
Another sound, more distinctive to this species, is a
peculiar wood-knocking sound, not too unlike that of a
most often
in the twilight of
wooden mallet tapping on a short length of two-byfour, and making the sound of POOOK POOOK
POOK POOK POOK, and sometimes continuing virtually without pause for hours.
more
the
of
ventriloquial
of
This, however,
calls,
its
and
it
is
one
is
ex-
its
is
acadicus)
but
it
call
to
as
he approaches the
returns with
The
it
flies
in
leaves
and
and nape a
in
reddishness
than
the
male.
is
a series of PHOOOOT
phase
of
to overlap
gray phase
phase
is
in
the
California
and occasional
by the Rocky Mountain
whistlings
pronounced
I'yg}'
Generally, the
The
Pygmy
grinnelli)
(but
not
the
flanks)
are
ish-white
feathers
having black
brown
in
literation.
race,
dark brown.
bit
reddish
more extended.
A number of other odd
The
206"
It
other
colors as
finally escaped.
it
shrill
owl can
little
gray phase
to the nest.
swered
long this
whispered quality.
When
for certain
Owl
the
The
tips.
The upperparts
almost
The crown,
and the
are white
The
facial disks
are fairly
cles
The brown
perfect.
into
narrow bars
approaching
it
away
so swiftly
When
it.
If
seen at
so
it
it
except
adult plumage
The
top
the
of
entirely unspotted.
The
spots
likes
and suns
it
to
is
turning
often
it
naps
Owl (Otus
likes
it
And,
fitfully.
naevius)
asio
to
time to bathe
itself
toundingly bold
it
cause of
its
found
many
will
it
and
fierce
not
As-
size.
its
hesitate
own
to
size.
Be-
and
times
its
it
to
mammals
rats.
its
own
its
weight. This
is
almost beyond
community
belief.
of bird
It
life
Its flight
self-
can bring
wherever
is
it
noisy for
make
it
is
almost always
forests
to
it
likes these to
well-scat-
be adjacent to roosting
actual roosting
ermost
tips of
Occasionally
is
done,
it
it
pecker hole in a
wood-
tree.
with a songbird,
rarely recognized
little
owl
not
(Bubo
virginianus
sp.)
is
so
Owl
hated
by
many as a dozen
times each day the Rocky Mountain Pygmy Owl will
be wildly harassed by a shrieking mob of wrens, humsmall birds. At least once and often as
mingbirds,
tons
the
grasslands, but
One
is
as large as
the bird
very fond of
at elevations of
feet within
most
the
of
and savage,
size it looks
is
it
longed periods.
perch in deep
little
far
CHARACTERISTICS
undoubtedly one
incredibly
it
everywhere gradually
is
apt to
uppermost tip
Although not particularly
This
is
it
in the
bloodthirsty
hidden
itself.
like
so well
shade, where
for
all,
continuously,
Screech
essentially
danger threatens,
If
miss
to
around.
JUVENILE
is
its
and
plumage
wary,
Juvenile
when
of a low tree
and
alights.
perches, as
white.
is
flits
titmice,
others.
tormentors
itself
easily.
20J
Owl undoubtedly
on the
helps
dis-
with
it
its
be
full
air will
Similarly,
and
and
must be
it
listed as
a protective device.
At times the
to eat.
many
mammals
small
are
it
does
so.
of
fur
stripped
consumed.
slowly and
eats
around casually
to look
as
it
eat the
will
Because of
its
great
range
its
any bird
hardly
ferocity,
is
safe
of
when
destructive
though
it
nevertheless
is,
is
kills
to
bird
life
calif or nicum)
the
occasional
larks,
ground
squirrels,
grouse.
Similarly,
shrews,
rats,
chipmunks,
mice,
It
all.
can and
food daily.
in
Nearly always,
it
will
it
and
after
does
it
There
is
very
if
the bird
is
alarmed.
formation in
pellet
little
this owl.
They
anywhere
regurgitated
ever^
if
but
that are
pellets
are
so,
fly
own weight
its
the
feeds.
it
near
the
nest.
In hunting, Glaucidium
gnoma
pinacola sometimes
manner, bulleting
seen. More often than
like
in a shrike-
is
prefers perching
it
on a high, isolated branch and watching carefully until prey comes into sight, then speeding to the attack
with great directness and savagery. It almost always
attempts to drive its talons deep into the throat of its
intended prey, and once attached it is most difficult to
dislodge, despite the violent thrashings of the victim.
Most hunting is done in the earlier hours of the morning and from midafternoon until sunset.
Now and then insect prey will be carried in the beak,
With an owl
the
in
information
the feet.
The
is
and
fly
carried by
it
much
as
to rest until
it
has finally
itself.
flights,
managed
and then go up
possibly-
known
The male
When
usually inside a
is
but he emerges at
has
this
flies
woodpecker
inducement, after
to
repeating the
her
side.
little
He
first
same
snuggles
is
It
pausing frequently
will often
bits of
At such times he
of the species.
hole,
lift
and mating
and female
call.
little
lacking in
less
much
is
still
is
even identify
so difficult to observe or
it
the courtship
nears,
field,
ANNUAL BROODS,
NEST, NESTING
HABITS
This owl
is
more
Not infrequently
will
hold a bird
208
a hairy
it
most other
has caught
are single-brooded.
woodpecker or
uses the
flicker as a nest,
of
usually about
frogs.
owls.
Pygmy Owls
in
The same
succession. Almost
above 6,000
feet
Pygmy Owl
all
nesting
feet.
is
done
at elevations
feet, usually
between
EGGS
Number
Three
per nesting
four.
Color
Shape
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
length
mm.
mm.
254 mm.
22.6 mm.
3-5
length
24.1
width
width:
(1.2")
(i-o")
(i-o")
(0.9")
Interval of egg-laying
of 30 hours apart.
Egg-laying
dates
normally between
May
Earliest,
May
and June
2;
July
latest,
4;
24.
The term of incubation is not defiknown but is believed to be about 22 days. It be-
Incubation
nitely
LIFE
accumulated
CHARACTERISTICS
young Rocky Mountain Pygmy
Owls are practically all head and stomach and very
repulsive in appearance, being naked and very weak,
with their bulbous, thin-lidded eyes sealed. Within
At
hatching,
just a
the
down and
From
the beginning
The male
the
bird in particular
is
ex-
The
first
is
grasshoppers.
He
it.
is
still
his
in
catch
nest hole
it
and
brooding
normally brings
and comes
to him.
strips
where she
gestible
tears
it
meat portions
into
little
bits
to the babies.
little
more
difas-
Madre
of Mexico.
209
MIGRATION
the
tail is shorter, so
more pronounced
Essentially
tain
amount
movement from
of
is
a cer-
about a
fifth
batlike appearance.
The
averages
tail
SEXUAL DIFFERENCES
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
The
Pygmy
Owls
(Glaucidium
gnoma
More
sp.
are
CALIFORNIA PYGMY
{COLOR PLATE
sexes of
OWL
XLIII)
to grayish
brown, and
The
SCIENTIFIC
slaty buff.
DESCRIPTION
Glaucidium gnoma calijornicum Sclater. Original description: Glaucidium calijornicum Sclater, Proceedings
of the Zoological Society of
London, Volume
15,
CHARACTERISTICS
Num-
OTHER NAMES
la chouette naine
level to elevations of
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
Browner
tain
in general coloration
somewhat
of dense forest
Moun-
pinacola)
but
Owl, although
pecially
growth
it
as the
does
its
daytime naps as
size.
overlapping
the
red-phase
posed
as
does
Glaucidium
gnoma
much
pinacola,
ex-
instead
of
Quite
except that
210
similar to
its
the
dentalis)
Pygmy Owl
Spotted
Owl
falls
prey to
occidentalis
occi-
occi-
California
(Strix
dentalis caurina)
Every
now and
again an individual
its
prey, this
HUNTING CHARACTERISTICS
Somewhat more aggressive as a hunter than the
Rocky Mountain Pygmy Owl and a considerably more
voracious feeder on small birds. It is far more adept at
catching flying insects than the Rocky Mountain subspecies.
its
it
kills
the insects.
NEST
CALIFORNIA PYGMY
As a
is
OWL
feet.
Carmen)
in
(Si-
Mexico.
EGGS
The
more
size,
distinctly yel-
gnoma
pinacola,
number.
SCIENTIFIC
Alberta southward through central and eastern Washington and Oregon (east of the lower Willamette Valley but
DESCRIPTION
Glaucidium gnoma gnoma Wagler. Original description: Glaucidium gnoma Wagler, Isis von Oken, 1832,
Heft 3, Column 275; based on a specimen from an
undesignated locale in Mexico.
to
(Yolly
OTHER NAMES
Diego County)
the Great
pioametate
de
wagler
Mexican-Indian
(A
metate
name
is
Pygmy Owl
211
81.4
mm.
(3.2").
TAIL LENGTH
Subspecies average
58.6
mm.
(2.3").
BEAK LENGTH
Subspecies average
7.6
mm.
(0.3").
VOICE
The Arizona Pygmy Owl has less
Rocky Mountain Pygmy Owl;
of a repertoire than
the
calling
is
its
voice
is
possibly
HABITAT
OWL
ARIZONA PYGMY
at elevations of
13,000
feet.
slopes.
as
low
It dislikes desert
intermixed
to
from
oak
and
its
range,
is
found
terrain
pine
areas
it
tends
to
frequent
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
The
similar
Pygmy Owl
that of
the
is
basically
gnoma pinacola)
Glaucidium gnoma "noma is the
{Glaucidium
but
in
all
smaller owl.
EGGS
respects
Subspecies average:
24.0
mm.
25.2
mm.
(1.0")
in
length by
(1.0") in width.
WEIGHT
DISTRIBUTION IN NORTH AMERICA
Subspecies average: 36.9
Found
from
extreme
southern
Arizona
TOTAL LENGTH
Subspecies average: 140.3
mm.
(5.5").
WINGSPAN
Subspecies average: 367.2
212
mm.
(Atasco,
Huachuca, and Chiricahua Mountains) and the highlands of Mexico from Chihuahua,
Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas (Galindo) southward
through Nayarit and Morelos to Guerrero (Omilteme, Venta de Zopilote), and Chiapas.
Parajito, Santa Rita,
(14.5")
Pygmy Owl
SCIENTIFIC
DESCRIPTION
Glaucidium gnoma grinnelli Ridgway. Original deGlaucidium gnoma grinnelli Ridgway, U. S.
scription:
National
Museum
Number
Bulletin,
Part
50,
1914,
6,
OTHER NAME
la chouette pygmee cotiere French-Canadian
name meaning "The Coast Pygmy Owl."
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
Glaucidium gnoma grinnelli
brown
almost
a black brown
considerably darker
is
on
and other
the back
gnoma
pinacola or
widespread
in
Its
flight.
it
tends to keep
approximates
size
its
the
In
flight,
tail,
it
resembles a
woodpecker.
VOICE
The
voice
Coast
the
of
Pygmy Owl
last
is
at
generally
dawn, and
Calls
nightfall.
coast,
although
now and
and alder
Spends
almost its
swamps in heavily timbered areas.
entire life far above ground in the middle to upper
reaches of the great trees. Most of its prey is caught in
the
cut-over
or
burned-over
timberlands
those trees.
FOOD
On
it
is
the whole,
its
its
nevertheless
it
is
still
difficult to observe.
life
considerably diurnal.
in the
It
trees
liz-
bathe.
ENEMIES
HABITAT
In
This Pygmy
forests
of
fir,
Owl
is
found only
in
the dense
addition
to
Spotted
humid
Pacific
Steller's jays.
Coast
Pygmy Owl
be
Owls,
killed
Coast
by a
mob
Pygmy Owls
of attacking
213
NEST
Almost invariably
in a
is
woodpecker hole
at least 50
WEIGHT
EGGS
Subspecies average: 40.8
The
Pygmy Owl
TOTAL LENGTH
Subspecies average
163.8
mm.
(6.5").
WINGSPAN
coast
Oregon,
western
Trinity
mm.
(14.9").
northward
from Monterey County. Inland it is found to the
lower Willamette River Valley of Oregon, and extreme
Alameda County
County,
eastern
in California.
Subspecies average
91.4
mm.
(3. 6").
SCIENTIFIC
mm.
(2.5").
DESCRIPTION
Glaucidium gnoma swarthi Grinnell. Original description:
Glaucidium gnoma swarthi Grinnell, The
Auk, Volume 30, Number 2, April (March 31), 1913,
page 224; based on a specimen from Errington, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Subspecies average:
than
is
11.0
mm.
(0.4"). This
is
larger
OTHER NAME
LA CHOUETTE PYGMEE DE VANCOUVER
nadian name meaning "Pygmy
Owl
of
French-Ca-
Vancouver."
LVI
Bubo
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
The Vancouver Pygmy Owl
is
214
Bubo
Pygmy Owl.
It
13, 1967.
ONTARIO HORNED
OWL
South Fork Roseau River near Malung, Roseau County, Minnesota, March 1, 1927. Not included in the 1957 A.O.U.
Check-list
Pygmy Owl
VI
r/
SEXUAL DIFFERENCES
The females
than
is
are
apparent
more
distinctly larger
in the other
Pygmy Owl
races.
VOICE
Unlike the other Glaucidium gnoma subspecies, the
Vancouver Pygmy Owl does more calling in the autumn than during spring or summer.
relationship
and
at almost
perch side by
This
is
the other
Pygmy Owl
sub-
to
side,
than
so
even
the
Coast
Owl
It rarely
tree cav-
all
roosting.
FOOD
grasshoppers,
Chiefly
HUNTING METHODS
This
Owl
is
races,
small
it
its
beetles,
moths,
and
small hirds.
Pygmy
though
mammals and
crickets,
and some
dietary preference,
EGGS
it
pinning
and eating
it
lands
it
with
its
upon a
stationary or crawling
it
apart
Subspecies average:
22.9
mm.
25.4
mm.
1.0")
in length
and
(0.9") in width.
it.
Bubo
ARCTIC
HORNED OWL
Montana, April
4,
1963.
Not included
in
entirely to
Vancouver
ever, there
thought
Island, British
fairly
to
be confined
Columbia; how-
recent unconfirmed
joining British
I'ancouver
is
Pygmy Owl
Columbia mainland.
2*5
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
This
is
SPECIES
to be
the
to
little
without a great
trying,
related
It is closely
sp.),
with
ORDER
more rounded,
head proportionately smaller than that of most
other North American owl species. There are two distinct color phases of this owl
red and gray as well
as a ruddy-gray intermediate coloration which occurs
on very rare occasions and appears to be a combination
of the two, but which is not generally accepted as a
bulbous, the wings slightly shorter and
STRIGIFORMES
the
FAMILY:
STRIGIDAE
GENUS:
Glaucidium Boie
SPECIES:
brasilianum
(Gmelin
Rank
in
its
over-all
own right.
among
size
eighteen
the
species:
Sixteenth.
SUBSPECIES
ridgwayi
FERRUGINOUS
Sharp
SHAPE AT REST
OWL
cactorum van Rossem
CACTUS OWL
Pygmy Owls
Owl
is
size
FERRUGINOUS OWL
{COLOR PLATE XLVII)
SHAPE IN FLIGHT
SCIENTIFIC
DESCRIPTION
is
extremely
between
this
description:
born, Field
Museum
of
difficult
at
twilight
its
to
differentiate
also
fly
in
the
FLIGHT PATTERN
OTHER NAMES
ferruginous pygmy owl
before reclassification.
from the
streaked pygmy owl Former Pygmy Owl designation, and because of distinctive scattered dark streaking
of the undcrparts, especially the sides and flanks.
tecolotillo rayado de sharp Mexican-Indian
name meaning "Sharp's Streaked Pygmy Owl."
The
216
flight
flight
dulative,
line
quite rapid
and there
is
and there
Gliding, in fact,
is
rarely,
if
Owl
is
a bare
mostly absent
any hovering.
and slightly un-
ever,
Ferruginous
is
7 birds
measured:
WEIGHT
BEAK LENGTH
Female
Average
78.5 gr.
Minimum
Maximum
65.5
gr.
(2.3
85.1
gr.
Rank
weight
in
(0.4").
Male
(0.4")
9.1
(0.3")
8.6
(0.4")
9.9
beak length
among
82.2 gr.
(2.9 oz.)
Average
8.9
oz.)
71.4 gr.
(2.5 oz.)
8.2
(3.0 oz.)
88.2 gr.
(3.1
Minimum
Maximum
oz.)
Rank
9.4
in
Female
mm.
mm.
mm.
(2.8 oz.)
among
mm.
Male
mm.
mm.
mm.
(0.4")
(0.3")
(0.4")
enteenth.
TOTAL LENGTH
mm.
mm.
146.1 mm.
1550 mm.
1502
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
in total
length
The
(6.3").
Male
Average
LEGS, FEET,
Female
(5.9")
167.9
(5.8")
158.9
(6.1")
183.2
among
mm
mm.
mm.
TALONS
Owl
the Ferruginous
legs of
(6.6")
(6.3")
(7.2")
The
bristly
feet are
unu-
and
the
talons
are
light
length
teenth.
tips.
WINGSPAN
Species average: 383.4
mm.
Male
Average
377.5
Minimum
Maximum
361.9
Rank
mm.
mm.
mm.
373-3
Vision
(15.1").
(14.9")
389.2
(14.3")
373-7
(14.7")
405.9
is
Female
mm.
mm.
mm.
(15.3")
(14.7")
The
irides are a
(16.0")
in
though not
of
the
Owl
Ferruginous
is
excellent,
more
mm.
(3.9").
Male
Average
91.8
Minimum
Maximum
96.8
Rank
in
89.4
mm.
mm.
mm.
(3.6")
104.6
(3.5")
89.5
(3.8")
116.8
mm.
mm.
mm.
(4.1")
(3.5"")
(4.6")
teenth.
MOLT
The plumage
so much
TAIL LENGTH
Species average: 72.9
mm.
62.2
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
in
teenth.
56.7
68.0
tail
mm.
mm.
mm.
length
as
brasilianum
Female
(2.2")
(2.7")
83.5
80.5
88.9
mm.
mm.
mm.
gnoma
(3.3")
ridgwayi
of
the
more
than
fluted
those
of
on Glaucidium
Glaucidium
the
in flight, the
(3.2")
that
flight
(2.5")
among
is
so
(2.9").
Male
Average
quite
Ferruginous
Owl
flies
much more
quietly
than the Pygmy Owls. The annual molt does not begin
(3.5")
until
Ferruginous
early
tember
Owl
until
mid-Sep-
early
December
217
way impaired by
not in any
is
this
same
progressive molting.
and on
the chin.
VOICE
call
of this pretty
owl oc-
little
like
JUVENILE
a twice-repeated-per-
is
second
The
jerking spasmodically
tail
voice
as that of the
frequently
voiced
Pygmy Owls.
calls
that
crown
the
most
CHARACTERISTICS
to reproduction
of
the male.
sometimes be rather
in
the
ings
at once.
is
very
The owl
of the
between the
can
open.
the
in
approached
easily
as are
it
however,
If,
at the
The
not
is
variety of
given,
also
is
except
it
inflection.
to
adults
to
is
Similar
marked.
flies
at
all
delightful
sents
itself.
to
observe
a very appealing
little
when an opportunity
pre-
is
sexes.
sofar as the
Owl
Ferruginous
is
concerned, although
Mesquite
well-wooded creek
forests
in
from sea
Pygmy Owls.
is
it
Perching
is
The common
less
twig,
or
cactus
else
in
spike.
in the
bottom brush, or
Roosting,
dense foliage
trees
or creek-
in
saguaro cactus.
decidedly
grayish
own
right;
throughout,
with
is
slight
distinctly
is
a very
banded with
black; the brownish-red-gray phase is more decidedly
a mixture of the two prime color phases and with the
tail slaty and barred with black.
Superciliaries and
218
is
branch,
of
uppermost
however,
on a
tail
Owl (Glaucidium
Pygmy
Ferruginous
same day
Owl
in
ru
Tqjl
l<p f0h *
G-
0lv
*i
/f
ztfjhwfa*.
C^ftQftiQ^
fantastically courageous
and
all
with astounding
camouflage
There seems
this
human
difference
little
in
the
known
Owl
able study
ANNUAL BROODS,
NEST, NESTING
HABITS
itself
amidst foliage.
facility
be
to
little
the
if
first
are destroyed.
The
nests are
abandoned woodpecker holes in cottonwoods, mesquite and, most often, saguaro cactus, usually between 10 and 40 feet in height. The bird is
invariably in
regularly
pellets
ridgwayi are
larger than
itself,
Driving
talons
its
EGGS
larger
its
bal-
Number
ance with flapping wings as the prey struggles, squeezits feet ever more tightly until the larger bird
and sometimes even helping to hurry the demise
by tearing at the head of the prey bird with the sharp
little beak at the same time.
ing with
but far
its
beak
not
even
has amazing
birds
lifting
to
eggs
five
are
than four or
laid,
five.
Shape
Texture
to
insects.
Three
per nesting
more often
Color
dies,
It
very clean in
The
shells
sp.),
weight.
knobby protuberances.
measured eggs have yielded an average
length of 29.0 mm. (1.1") and an average width of
by a few
Size
Owl
will
and
it is
still-living
its
slightly
is
greater
degree
there
is
the Glaucidium
more
of
gnoma
first,
whole-prey
mice and
insects,
The extremes
How-
included:
length
30.3
length
24.8
width
25.5
width
21.9
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
(1.2")
(1.0")
(1.0")
(0.9")
Pygmy Owls
among
piecemeal.
Interval of egg-laying
it
(0.9").
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
Pygmy Owls,
will often
mm.
23.6
slight
Fifty
The head
Egg-laying
and there
swallow-
dates
Earliest,
March
and
May
13;
As a result,
and the pelbound in small
subspecies.
220
May
than occurs
is
latest,
14.
be-
if it
can be handled.
Ferruginous
Owl
Owl
May
in
(Glaucid-
'
j^/^ 1 '
v**'*-"
#4
<*
urf
v
/\
'
\>\,a^ T
e-"
1,^
^-;;-
WM
n
v
i
y/i\
fig
Reddish
Tn
Xf.
less
of Mexico. It inhabits a
narrow
and a
southwestern
MIGRATION
Non-migratory.
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
Negligible.
FERRUGINOUS OWL
Glaucidium brasilianum ridgwayi (Sharp)
CACTUS OWL
{COLOR PLATE XLVIII)
is
DESCRIPTION
and providing
Glaucidium brasilianum cactorum van Rossem. Original description: Glaucidium brasilianum cactorum van
Rossem, Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, Volume 50, February 23, 1937, page 27; based
LIFE
CHARACTERISTICS
Much
observation
still
in Sonora,
Mexico.
222
Cactus
OTHER NAMES
cactus pygmy
its
favored nesting
now
owl
site,
For the
size
of the owl
and
is
misapplied.
TEGOLOTILLO RAYADO DE LOS ORGANOS Mexican-Inname meaning "Streaked Owl of the Organ Cac-
dian
tus."
Owl
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
Very
color.
and, on
coloration
somewhat more
The
tail
clearly
the
much
whole,
defined
Owl
(Glau-
paler gray in
the
against
the
markings
ground
is
The crown
Owl;
rather,
ways
it
is
is
faint.
HABITAT
Not very
but with
different
less
valleys.
Tucson west
to
Agua
(Phoenix and
Caliente), western
and north-
Grande Valley
and southward
in
to
CACTUS OWL
Glaucidium brasilianum cactorum van Rossem
lipas.
Cactus
Owl
223
SCIENTIFIC
ORDER:
STRIGIFORMES
FAMILY:
STRIGIDAE
GENUS:
DESCRIPTION
Bubo
Volume
Bubo Dumeril
Part
i,
i,
Virginia Eared
SPECIES:
Part
virginianus (Gmelin)
1,
Bubo
pinacola.
SUBSPECIES
OTHER NAMES
big-eared
virginianus
(Gmelin)
GREAT
cat
HORNED OWL
algistus
(Oberholser)
heterocnemis (Oberholser)
lagophonus (Oberholser)
occidentalis Stone
ST.
MICHAEL
HORNED OWL
LABRADOR
HORNED OWL
when
owl
owl
the ear tufts are held erect, giving the general as-
when
cat
Owl, which
Owl.
is
hoot owl
but
this
owl
the owl
to differentiate
it
HORNED OWL
MONTANA
HORNFD OWL
is
perched. Also
From
same term
the deep,
is
booming
call
Little
Cat
makes,
it
NORTHWESTERN
tufts.
two,
Great
the
pacific us Cassin
pallescens Stone
saturatus
Ridgway
scalariventris
Snyder
PACIFIC
HORNED OWL
WESTERN
HORNED OWL
DUSKY
HORNED OWL
le grand-duc de l'est (sometimes spelled "le grandduc du l'est") French-Canadian name for the Great
Horned Owl specifically, meaning "The Grand Duke of
the East."
ONTARIO
wapacuthu (Gmelin)
224
ARCTIC
HORNED OWL
TUNDRA
HORNED OWL
the
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
HORNED OWL
subarcticus (Hoy)
for
species in general,
Horned Owl
of
Bubo
common
the
of
largest
owls
resident
on
States
and second
to the
in over-all size
is
United
the
of
this
by far the
continent only
of
more north-
It
Owl
Barred
easily distinguishable
is
large species
but
larger,
plumage
FLIGHT PATTERN
this
tufts,
is
is
it
of the Great
than that of
Great Gray
Owl
The
one of placidity,
is
as
compared
to the
The
angry expression.
Horned Owl
are large
feet
and
talons
of
Great
the
rapidity.
from
its
now and
again
owl
this
upward
much
on prey
it
will
last
possible
level
is
frequently engaged
Owl
Rank
in
over-all
among
size
the
eighteen
species:
Second.
climb to an extraordinary
will
several
of
rowed
slits.
itself
Horned Owl
drawn up and
mere
launches
first
it
way with
locked branches and
On
its
occasion
it
incredible
moment, thus
attack. Low-
its
in,
its
and can
size
skill
trees of very
deliberately bulls
diving
wings and
weave
When
its
its
SHAPE AT REST
When
silence.
Bubo virginianus virginianus normally sits very erect and almost always with its ear tufts
fully raised and quite prominent. The body, despite a
fairly tight plumage, always appears heavy and powerfully built. The plumage is generally dark on the upperparts and somewhat lighter on the underparts. There is
perched,
and upper
breast.
On
its
WEIGHT
and condescending
dignity.
Male
Female
Average
1,448.9 gr.
(50.7 oz.)
1.597-0 gr.
(55.9 oz.;
Minimum
Maximum
1,383.8 gr.
(48.4 oz.)
1,454.2 gr.
(50.9 oz.)
1,691.7 gr.
(59.2 oz.)
1,876.0 gr.
(65.7 oz.)
Rank
in
weight
among
SHAPE IX FLIGHT
Here the impression
tinues.
The wings
Owl
or Barred Owls.
flattened to the
tucked
in, so
it
than those of
The
in
and
size
con-
more
the Great Gray
tips
head
that
of great strength
are
rather
TOTAL LENGTH
is
well
mm.
(21.8").
Male
Female
Average
5094 mm.
(20.1")
598.3
Minimum
Maximum
468.1
mm.
(18.4")
548.8
602.4
mm
2 3-7")
651.5
Great Horned
Rank
Owl
in total
length
among
mm.
mm.
mm.
(23.6")
(21.6")
(25.7")
225
WINGSPAN
mm.
Average
1,335-7
Minimum
Maximum
1,242.6
Rank
in
1,409.7
mm.
mm.
mm.
(545").
Male
(52.6")
1,429.3
(49.0")
1,260.3
(55.5")
i,575-0
mm.
mm.
mm.
markedly
(56.3")
with an
coloration that
(49.7")
(62.1")
brane
Female
iris
is
drawn
brilliant yellow.
is
eye
when
the owl
flies
some
As
in the
mem-
the owl
as
authorities,
mm.
(15.2").
Average
370.8
Minimum
Maximum
355-8
Rank
in
373.6
mm.
mm.
mm.
(14.6")
402.7
(14.0")
362.5
(14.7")
430.5
is
in addition
it
good reason
Owl can
Great Horned
the
Male
but there
consciously
control
ex-
Female
mm.
mm.
mm.
(15.9")
(14.3")
eye
(17.0")
The
when
itself
partially
is
to
one farther
covered at
of the
quite
is
distant.
upper inner
its
TAIL LENGTH
Species average: 213.8
mm.
(8.4").
Minimum
Maximum
Rank
208.2
224.3
in tail length
runs
Female
mm.
mm.
mm.
21 1.7
(8.3")
215.8
(8.2")
207.9
(8.8")
231.6
among
tention
Male
Average
mm.
mm.
mm.
it.
(8.5")
yards
all
it
away
but hide
will
look
(8.2")
(9.1")
human
eye cannot.
BEAK LENGTH
mm.
Beak
(1.5'
is
slate
gray
black.
Male
Average
36.8
Minimum
Maximum
30.8
Rank
in
mm.
mm.
mm.
42.4
beak length
Female
(1.5")
41.2
(1.2")
36.1
(1.7")
among
46.6
mm.
mm.
mm:
(1.6")
As superb
(1.4")
better. It
(1.8")
is
even
Owl
as the vision
may
ond.
is,
the location
it.
The
eyes
and
it
ears together
make
LEGS, FEET,
The
are
all
legs,
and talons
feet,
TALONS
of the Great
muscled,
the
grasping and
feet
and
lifting.
talons
The
Horned Owl
legs impressively
extremely
powerful
in
feathers
is
virtually impossible,
gray in color.
They
The
great
and taper
to
tips.
226
Horned Owl
MOLT
The
is
crown in flight.
At times when the perched bird becomes very angry,
they may be tilted backward at a considerable angle.
They are fully two inches in length.
The plumage is heavy and soft, but not as thick and
bulky as that of the Great Gray Owl. Emargination of
the outermost primaries is quite distinct and all flight
flattened or very nearly flattened to the
flight.
and fluffy, sometimes giving the distinct impression of an ascot. (See Color Plate LVI.)
There is a complete molt of all plumage once each year,
beginning in late June or early July and usually completed around late October. Flight is in no way affected
especially
by
thick
VOICE
The Great Horned Owl comes close to
Owl (Strix varia varia)
equaling the
Northern Barred
The hooting
hisses.
it
in the
...
...
MEEE-O Wwwww.
in a
distant woods.
...
soft,
a.
gargled,
gasping sound
someone being
like
choked.
but
much
... a
Owl (Otus
asio naevius)
amaz-
it
whistles,
makes
WHAAA WHHAAAAA-
like
A-A-A-AARRRRK!
shrieks, screams,
and
is
carrying
the
or more. It
the
first
is
a resonant
last
call,
It
sounds
like
WHOOO-
with
to
lower pitch
The whole
during delivery.
call,
heard
to a far-off foghorn.
WHOOO
Another
note, but with a sort of angry
growling sound issued at the beginning of it, and much
more abruptly
uttered, has a
RROOOOO!
This
call
cede
this
is
more
like
distinct
very excited
here.
But, briefly,
this
it
may
228
identical,
is
decidedly
the
pre-
WAAAaaa!
and nearly
all
other
... an
are
larger bird.
deep
from the female, a sound like KEEE-uh KEEEuh, most reminiscent of a large soaring hawk.
... a sound made while incubating, rather softly
voiced, which can be written as Urrrrr-Urrrrr.
.
sexes
G-G-G-GGG-
calls the
be
sound
sometimes has a
Some
cured from E.
of Natural
J.
Horned Owl
Bubo
hood in
mained unalterably savage throughout
Horned Owl
pro-
Museum
its life.
Ohio
-^ h
Ui
disturbed
lei
<*e
hatch
in late
is
not
Owl can
known
for certain
end
how
but the
slate
and
white
oldest recovered
as a nestling)
facial disks
some
will live
tive birds
reliable report
Owl
fire at
was
One
verifiable,
is
years.
said to
as
killed in
JUVENILE
Bubo uirginianus vir ginianus has a distinctly graybrown appearance when perched, but seems to be very
light in coloration when viewed from beneath while it is
in flight.
There
is
much
This
is
The
Horned Owls
are
identical
those
to
is
adult
of
tail
birds.
of
young
The
re-
The white
extensive,
entirely
displaced
until
the
bird
undergoes
the
first
sification.
same geographical
area,
it
is
difficult
in
to verbalize
CHARACTERISTICS
way
at
the coloration
It
if
the
base
than
The under-
nest until
ing,
even
This
is
its
if
if
it
LIFE
temperament.
it
is
It
will
and gener-
survive well in
human handling
Museum
to
adulthood
Horned Owl
that
of the
Owl
ally antagonistic
(Ohio)
wholly untamable
and
Dayton
became tame
at the
ff,
or companionship,
irrespective
handled
to
of
how
There
gentle.
became capable
of being
once
bird,
could result
in
eyes have
its
The
lost
opened
tends to
in the wild,
ginianus virginianus
less
it is
The
to
have a
steel trap
locked about
erous or
so,
flew.
which
affairs,
managed
the owl
to
survive
well
for
those
over a month
creek
valleys,
adjacent
after
areas,
and brushy
Owl
Great Horned
the
means
has
by no
As untamably savage a
a misplaced comparison.
spirit as
is
anywhere,
to see
life
remains
it
remains within
it,
cliff
to
(espe-
areas, grainfield
harvest),
the
areas
isolated
hillsides.
interspersed
smell
is
cially
bothered by the
which
it
of prey
is
sense of
not espe-
is
vile stench of
which
Bubo
it
is
and
there
is
tends to camouflage
against
it),
with ear
tufts
body shape
erect,
rowed
to
mere
slits.
eat skunks.
foe or defends
virginianus
and mates
as
if
it
its
it
mate,
remains
were doing so
as
an
more
briefly
caged
pair,
slightly
any
likes
rarely shows
it
tamarack
itself
Horned Owl's
immedi-
(especially
woodlots,
cypress
also likes
it
rivers,
wild nature.
believed that the Great
conif-
all
woodlands), swamps,
is
be
parks, marshes
may
ately
forest
in
The
tools,
entangled
become
barbed-wire fence. That
inextricably
all
slopes,
having
is
it
is
is
no dearth of
itself,
nor
is
tales
about
the
Owl
incredible
attacks a
of any
cases
strike.
them
to
with the
The
arrow
first
in
total
soundlessness
of
their
flight
allows
when
the great talons are driven deeply into flesh with power
to knock a man out of a tree or drive him to
knees on the ground. Such attacks, which are more
enough
his
even
if
232
Some
tive
Great Horned
Horned Owl
Owl (Bubo
virginianus virginianus)
,aJ~
|
when
young
Horned Owls
of a pair of Great
the
are endangered;
ously
For
intents
all
Owl becomes an
all
the owl,
of
It
it.
is,
fully
not
to
physical
its
attacks
of
flee
cats,
lynxes,
aggressive
this
irritation
Would-be
wolves, and
bird.
Only man
snapping
with
beak;
grasping
the
and
talons
is
man
is
the
last
warning.
If the
persists, the
next attack
and the hard wing edges beat the intruder unThe second owl may attack while the first is
flesh
mercifully.
still
in the
midst of
its
fight.
and
circle
that
and dive
in for
Only
lasts
An
killed.
Horned Owl
the
utilize
its
much
greater
virginianus
virgin-
Bubo
people walking past wooded areas at night have occasionally been struck by this owl,
for such attack
is
is
No
is
among
amazing
up
Two
equally. In the
first,
about
utilized
considered prey to
ularly
move
in the vicinity.
forest
This
is
partic-
clearings,
along
so
common
is
ranging.
watching and
listening, the
is
is
owl
detected or
tree,
is
to alight
and even
tremely effective.
this
adult
by
on highways by
killed
this
way
annually, but
to
the
must be considered
234
and absolute
MAINSTAY
by being accidentally
passing vehicles.
a fantastic fighting
unclear.
man,
is
closely
is
Horned Owl
it is
detriment.
proves to be an
and
alert senses
adult,
by almost
machine, so too
as being significant.
IN
THE
DIET OF
phenomenal variety
ans,
its
reptiles,
fish,
of
animals
insects,
Horned Owl
and eat a
mammals, amphibi-
probably
common
cottontail
rabbit.
birds,
is
the
little
middle
in the
and then suddenly duck its head and snatch up a mouse or some
other creature that had been frightened into movement.
The audacity of the Great Horned Owl is often
extreme. It is not uncommon to hear of Great Horned
Owls landing in chicken yards, walking up the little
of the pile, freeze as
ramp
listened closely,
it
the henhouse,
enter
to
going
brooding chicken,
killing
it,
and then
can be carried
it
Along
with
Horned Owl
frequently
is
will
it
or lake until
its
hunting
great
its
Great
the
ability,
all,
carried
is
the
the
in
of
size
talons.
large
rat,
The
the beak.
in
authors,
low the
The
six feet in
it.
at
its
flying owl. It
began writhing
own stomach
is
and other
fish,
known
wade out
to
into six
if
in
an
it
effort to coil
around the
bird.
expertly,
swiftly,
The
its
tore
it
The
smell
its
blind
porcupine;
on
if it is
their
nictitating
membrane
as
is
when
true
it
be in danger.
from a
84
and
total of
attacks,
attacks
quills
legs,
itself
suffering
Once
cat, the
is
embedded
forced to relinquish
and
in
its
mostly
flesh,
organ
is
hold because of
an hour
Bubo
beak, beating
it
with
At times
may
this
take
its
feet, is
last
is
able to
upward
of half
its
great strength
able to
lift
so.
barnyard
hens,
opossums,
cats,
full-grown
small
dogs,
mallard
snowshoe
ducks,
rabbits,
skunks,
wood-
236
it
is
swallow
possible to
its
do
prey whole.
so,
the Great
The
is
prey that
are
it
short of
little
swallowed
without undue
the largest
Horned Owl
size of the
PREY BIRDS
wings and
it.
duck
will
from the
normally confine
and
first,
to accomplish.
of wings
its
it
its
its
its
More
changing
it
may
or shoulders
Usually
in a while, especially
owl
below.
severely
off
of the snake's
in side, flanks,
it
The same
it.
the stench
bird con-
the
itself
wise
mammal.
that
kill
movement
it.
size of the
American
themselves to spar-
when
REPRESENTATIVE PREY
hard
demanding young.
MAMMALS
(Overleaf)
the
Horned Owl
V"
uK n
k <^
G H
.
n e
Cro^
iV-5
m*
elope
^'L*
RcKw
xJ^'.te
-Wed Jck
RM'J s
">
&
3
&
&.
*-/>
(floods) C
;*#,
*7f***&H
':
-'.
!
'
"'
'*.
....
"^^^e
.
)Ylol<L
'
jj^fc-^SZ^^
a Great
difficulty,
Larger prey
up
Birds
many
to
meat and
whole.
viscera
plenty of prey
If
may
it
eat only a
is
available,
it
it
Invertebrates
worth the
large
prey to a
virtually pluck
then
beak.
its
may
It
fly
and
feet,
Where manner
prey
of
when providing
Especially
kill
practically
for
young
it
in the nest,
feels
can
it
it
kill,
will
from
creature
swims, crawls, or
flies
that walks,
Bubo
worms, and
spiders.
of
normally
are
thick.
These
very
with
bones,
dense,
filled
bound
tightly
resultant pellet
is
The
remain
pellets
falling,
which will mine through them and hasten disinAs they dry they become an almost uniform
tegration.
slate
how
all
completely
food matter of
shown
concerned, probably no
is
virgin-
to be
tion.
its
Insects of
upward
length and
pellets,
pellets
The
less
is
fish,
crabs, crayfish,
Where prey
it.
any
Practically
cases.
is
Fish
to
that
feathers
digestive
come
splintered
unaffected by the
totally
processes,
feces
in
rather
heavily
viscous
state
ianus virginianus
is
list
grouse,
and pheasants.
which
could
be
The
following
expanded
greatly
list
includes
after
it
Owl
is
just
known
to
eat.
Mammals
species,
hares,
woodchucks,
mice,
Rats,
rabbits,
small
dogs,
domestic
porcupines,
cats,
hawks up
ducks,
to the size of
within
Almost
any
venomous
grown indigo snakes,
species
smaller
lizards of
and
virtually
range.
its
Reptiles
any kind
snake,
including
and snakes
turtles
some
even
as large as well-
(especially
including, at times,
soft-shelled )
young
alligators
in Florida).
Amphibians
species.
2
]<)
takes wing.
of animals
Frogs,
toads,
and salamanders
of
any
The
mating
first
November
December
calls
set
or early
in
earnest
as
early
Mate
Once the
or early January.
done primarily by
long before
begin
generally
in
voice.
location
is
as
late
in
late
evidently
vocal response of a
sails in
and
alights
snapping
pain.
his
When
he evidently
feels
if
in
great
Homed Owl
own
and savagely
feathers
scene
may
female
drives
him
off.
This whole
and
finally gives in
lets
after
he returns
off briefly,
may
attempt
often,
picks
he
it
to give to
the ground
to
flips
up and swallows
in
front of her.
she
If
it,
is
away
manner
in a
He
human
that in
stops,
she
responds in kind,
the
all this
in
his
is
humming sound
deep
throat
teeth
like
usually
mak-
a sound
Oc-
grinding together.
to a
fly
is
perch in a tree or to
re-
The female
full
her
finally indicates
odd
series
The
of
after,
but
now
female
the
patience.
in as little
as
it
15
will
is
last
time
up-
generally
The
days.
but with
tion
female
surface
will
bark
the
of
in
particularly
low,
tree,
on bare
ings occur
in cliff crannies,
silo ledges,
nest-
and
in
an
in
nesting box.
artificial
is
it
much
occurs
nest as early as
area guarding
earlier.
will select
in the
it
Nesting
undertaken so early
is
of
in the
range,
its
not at
is
all
may
surrounding her
of
little
and does
shufflings.
ward
fall
caresses.
While
bare
the
stage
this
is
close.
when,
chosen
their
vigorously protect
will
usurpation
against
nest
by other large
if
to
or sometimes
Owl
kill
it.
likes seclusion
may
owls which
repossess
In
first
it,
Even
place
tries
off
it
Great Horned
away other hawks or
nest anywhere within a
and
will drive
attempt to
on the part of
either.
EGGS
ANNUAL BROODS.
Number
NEST, NESTING
HABITS
many
as
per nesting
may
as four or five.
On
is
destroyed.
The
nest
nest of a Red-tailed
if
practically always an
is
Hawk,
at a height of
the
first
abandoned
40 to 70
which
feet,
will
be
it
much
may
cause by then
it
use the
to
slightly
dusky white,
has taken as
its
less
occasionally
often with
Shape
ical.
Texture
The
shell
is
quite thick
On
explanation,
the
eggs
will
distinctive glossiness.
Size
area.
White
Occasionally
six
Color
is
mm.
mm.
(1.9").
urements included:
Great Horned
Owl
241
Maximum
Minimum
Maximum
Minimum
length:
60.2
length:
50-3
width:
50.8
width:
43-1
mm.
mm.
mm.
mm.
Eggs are
Interval of egg-laying
old, there
(2.0")
(i-7")
laid at
an average
The
March
New
latest, May
January
7
February 20 and March 25.
est,
England)
earli-
between
normally
entirely
down
eleventh to fourteenth
down
which
pays.
is
and
eggs freeze
but,
the
if
mild weather
second or third.
is
fail
first
The
eyes are
become quite
a mess
very often
skunk,
of
putrid
and rotted
meat,
by the parents.
begins being
is
time, too,
this
when
hatch.
to
egg
laid
prevailing,
The term
of
in
Incubation
most cases
not until
possibly
incubation
is
not
definitely established
about
attained
is
the
birds
even belligerent
cessantly
become decidedly
in their
among
aggressive
Some young
themselves.
time.
They mav
them
there, but
it
well.
The
more often
The
still
feathers of wings
down
appearing the
is
soft
fairly
well. Under
downy plum-
replaced
protective
down
thick, gray-white
soft,
wings. At
first
the hatchling
Some
newly hatched
tends
faintly.
to
The
shiver
is
violently
against
and the
the
cold.
amount
of protection
of indifor the
first time it is
determine that these are fledgling Great Horned Owls
subspecies.
the
nest.
The
parent
birds
supply
accumua
great
grayish.
a certain
lated
and
tufts
less so
this stage
well
in early
in-
the secondary
CHARACTERISTICS
and
birds fall or
LIFE
at
their sheaths
birds.
week,
third
full
birds hatch.
as-
pounds!
eyes of the
Half-growth
is
the whole
fish.
with
9.
just over 18
all
two American
eels,
interval of 72 hours.
(2.4")
(2.0")
weeks
sketched
virginiantu vira
stand of
ginianus
about
pines near
Horned Owl
six
of
age,
in
Y%
to
families
their
parents and
often
In
the
coming
half-size. It
still
often
filled.
week the
twentieth
plumage
first-winter
in well,
age are
this
still
is
only
is
young have
less
(see Coloration
fliers
away by
are driven
or-
The young
bird will
territory within
about 20
the adults.
own
two years
old.
New
western
Brunswick,
Edward
Nova Scotia
Prince
Island,
south-
ward through southeastern South Dakota, eastern Kansas, eastern Oklahoma, and eastern Texas to the Gulf
Coast, and Florida (to
Cape Sable).
Bubo
hatching
the
MIGRATION
usually
surrounding limbs.
Some
fall
and nutter
to
the
becomes extremely
movement
and
still
is
essentially non-migratory,
more northerly
is
some
slight
birds.
casionally, as
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
In some places Bubo virginianus virginianus
tively beneficial
mals, poultry,
game
Horned Owl
will
house of
its
breeders of goldfish,
They
are
still
incapable
of
actual
flight
and,
sufficiently
The
and downy. The
full
flight.
all
its
diet,
but everywhere
birds, songbirds,
tree.
quite
systematically
occupants,
it
is
game mam-
pets.
single
empty a hen-
night
all
severe
bullfrogs,
economic
muskrats,
losses
kinds.
growth, but
ST.
quite well
Horned Owl
(COLOR PLATE
L)
to
and poultry
244
rela-
is
SCIENTIFIC
DESCRIPTION
Bubo
Original de-
scription:
Museum, Volume
27
190; based
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
This
vaguer
is
Owl
Horned
(Bubo
in coloration,
virginianus)
virginianus
but
than
ianus pacificus)
Montana
to either the
especially
parts,
it
is
to
Northwestern sub-
the
species,
the wings,
barred on
heavily
Montana
race;
race,
facial
its
yellow and
its
and
breast,
it is
disks
in these respects
darker and
are
and
sides,
belly
is
less
than
the
it
have considerably
ST.
brownish
less
Bubo
VOICE
WASTES
Two
mimicry
commonly
The
St.
dinarily
six
large
NEST
CHARACTERISTICS
While
it
prefers dense
coniferous forests,
especially
spruce,
collect
on the
own
it
has been
known
to build a nest of
its
trees.
shoreline.
EGGS
FOOD
Generally two, averaging slightly larger than those
Primarily hares, ground squirrels, red squirrels, and
a smaller
number
reported to feed,
and
on occasion, on
of birds
fish.
This subspecies
is
of the Great
(2.3")
mm.
length,
(1.9").
57.2
The
mm.
eggs are
fish carrion.
St.
H5
YOUNG
Well-fledged
toward the
young
are
WINGSPAN
ready
to
the
leave
Subspecies average
nest
1,409.8
mm.
(55.6").
BEAK LENGTH
DISTRIBUTION IN NORTH AMERICA
Subspecies average: 44.5
The
Sound
mm.
(1.8").
from Kotzebue
to Bristol Bay.
Casual
Barrow.
at Point
{COLOR PLATE
LI)
olfactory
known
sense
to detect
is
DESCRIPTION
virginianus heterocnemis
keener sense
sharp
fly
that
this
bird
has
been
distances.
HABITAT
(Oberholser)
Origi-
nal description:
Volume
much
SCIENTIFIC
holser,
so
and
from considerable
Bubo
has a
if
they
FOOD
OTHER NAME
le grand-duc du Labrador French-Canadian name
meaning "The Grand Duke of Labrador."
ANNUAL BROODS,
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
NEST, NESTING
HABITS
The Labrador Horned Owl is larger than the Great
Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus virginianus) with sim-
ilar
all
obliterating
the
dark-breasted
white
appearance.
It
considerably
is
Owl
the
nests
but with a
sometimes
in
in
fact,
been known to
if
uncommonly
nests
more
among deep
make use of
goose
on the ground
has,
is
will
first
grasses.
old
It
larger beak.
TOTAL LENGTH
Subspecies average: 560.1
246
mm.
(22.1")
Labrador.
sjs* 5 ****
3.
Goo** ^*^>
fc(<L\a
'
s c s
bY^a^
ftc^fUh
,1'"'
f ^^%f?
feet
tot;
ff
,'fli
Jlu.vk t>*w;s
LI I)
SCIENTIFIC
DESCRIPTION
Bubo
description:
Original
OTHER NAMES
British Columbia
horned owl
After
geograph-
its
ical location.
le
grand-duc
du
nord-ouest
French-Canadian
of the Northwest."
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
LABRADOR HORNED OWL
Bubo
virginianus heterocnemis
Oberholser'
bird
which
bit
grayer
Horned Owl
much
but
(Bubo
Bubo
first
are
just
virginianus virginianus.
week
of
Arctic
the
coloration to the
It
is
Montana
its
than
subarcticus)
EGGS
darker
virginianus
Two
a medium-colored
is
Horned Owl
good
is
barely
They
May.
and the
facial disks
New
VOICE
(Black
Often heard
at
dawn with
Hall).
WHOO-TO-WHOOO WHOOO
WHOOO.
MIGRATION
A
More
of a migratory
other Horned
Owl
movement than
subspecies, but
248
still
is
seen in most
by no means a
in 1952.
if-
Horned Owl
northerly
more
subspecies.
inclined to nest in
It
on
cuts,
cliff
considerably
is
ledges,
and
in
preference
still
lies
EGGS
Seemingly irrespective of whatever bad weather conditions
may
laid
by
late
mm.
the
in
(1.8") in width.
the
to east-
Blue and
(Kalispell).
(St.
George), Colorado,
and Nebraska.
virginianus lagophonus
for a
is
approached by a
man
afoot with
times
it
can be
surprising ease.
up extensive
MIGRATION
re-
It
fatty deposits
under the skin as winter approaches; thus, a late autumn specimen is apt to weigh easily a third more than
the same bird in spring.
with
harsher winters.
consider-
ably, especially
it
SCIENTIFIC
DESCRIPTION
FOOD
Bubo
Original
de-
Stone,
The
155;
scription:
Mainly
rabbits, mice,
poultry, squirrels,
250
and
and
rarely
rats,
some snakes.
Horned Owl
virginianus
Bubo
occidentalis
virginianus
Stone.
occidentalis
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
Larger and darker than the Western Horned Owl
(Bubo virginianus pallescens) and, though roughly
similar to the Pacific Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus
pacificus) in size, it has darker feet and legs. It is also
somewhat more heavily barred with black, and it lacks
(or has considerably less of)
tion
It also
seems to be
grown up
it
will
in
plains, this
is
Bubo
almost
can be found
the only
Horned Owl
and
it
is
at
virginianus)
Northwestern
times.
phonus)
INCUBATION
Unlike other Horned
Horned Owl
of the eggs
rather
and
Owl
races, the
commonly
also in the
male Montana
brooding of hatchlings.
FOOD
rats,
mice, rabbits.
EGGS
Normally two
eggs,
southern
section
Saskatchewan,
excepted),
southern
California
which are
Alberta,
just
a shade smaller
Owl (Bubo
virginianus
lumbia.
2'5'
MIGRATION
There
ters,
species
is
but
it
and
movement
especially
bad win-
is
it is
The most
usual
is
does not
this
al-
ways occur.
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
Considered
beneficial
because
of
rodent-eating
its
HORNED OWL
PACIFIC
[COLOR PLATE
LIV)
SCIENTIFIC
DESCRIPTION
Bubo virginianus pacificus Cassin. Original descripBubo virginianus var. pacificus Cassin, Illustrated
PACIFIC
tion:
Part 6
etc.,
Bubo
(Septem-
1854, page
ber 12),
HORNED OWL
Sacramento, California.
occidentalis)
races
among
the largest,
the
OTHER NAMES
California horned
owl
After part of
its
geograph-
WEIGHT
ical distribution.
Subspecies average
TOTAL LENGTH
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
Subspecies average: 504.2
This
is
in California. It
species,
commonly
the most
lighter
is
in
ency
in
this
The
252
the
Subspecies average
1,274.4
mm.
(50. ")
1
Pacific
It
WINGSPAN
but darker
(19.9").
a relatively small
mm.
is
a tend-
which charac-
virginianus
Homed Owl
mm.
13-9")-
TAIL LENGTH
Subspecies average: 210.8
mm.
(8.3").
BEAK LENGTH
Subspecies average: 26.9
mm.
SCIENTIFIC
DESCRIPTION
(1.1")
Bubo virginianus pallescens Stone. Original descripBubo virginianus pallescens Stone, American Naturalist, Volume 31, Number 363. March 1, 1897, page
237; based on a specimen from the Watson Ranch, 18
miles southwest of San Antonio, Texas.
tion:
HABITAT
Dry
forests,
wooded
foothills,
7,000 feet.
avoids the
The
humid
Pacific
Horned Owl
dislikes
and
coastal-belt forests.
OTHER NAMES
desert horned
FOOD
pallid
also
number
fair
of
brush
and pigeons.
owl
Because of
habitat
its
near
horned owl
After
its
generally
light
col-
oration.
NEST
Occasionally in natural hollows in
Bubo
virginianus
pacificus
Now
trees.
More
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
often,
cliff
size as
virginianus)
the Great
but
ledge.
as
it is
much
generally
lighter,
is
EGGS
The
usually
the
HABITAT
that
are
in
it
mm.
(2.1")
in length
by 43.9
Relatively
arid
well-wooded
dry
slopes,
and
likes areas
cliffs.
but
grassy
interwoven
areas,
creekbeds,
ravines,
bluffs,
with
brushy
especially
bottoms.
(but
exclusive
of
the
FOOD
and southward to Latitude 30 North in northwestern Baja California, and east to extreme west-central Nevada (the Lake Tahoe area)
belt),
squirrels.
NEST
MIGRATION
Sometimes located on the ground
None.
Horned Owl
in
protected
more often
in
an aban253
SCIENTIFIC
DESCRIPTION
Bubo virginianus saturatus Ridgway. Original descripBubo virginianus saturatus Ridgway, U. S. Geological Exploration of the 40th Parallel, Volume 4,
tion:
Part
3,
based on a
OTHER NAME
le grand-duc noiratre French-Canadian
meaning "The Dusky Grand Duke."
name
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
Living up to
Owl
is
its
common name,
the
Dusky Horned
Owl
subspecies in
pays very
close,
From even
a short dis-
EGGS
Almost identical
in
size
to
WEIGHT
those
of
Montana
the
gr.
(59.2 oz.)
Horned Owl.
TOTAL LENGTH
DISTRIBUTION IN NORTH AMERICA
Arid
Inyo
regions of
District),
southeastern
southern
California
Nevada
New
(24.3")
County),
Mexico,
and north-central Texas, southward to extreme northeastern Baja California, northern Sonora (Hermosillo)
Chihuahua, Durango, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and
Some
less flight,
254
mm.
(from the
(Clark
posture
sketches
virginianus saturatus)
mary
Horned Owl
of
the
alonu with
detail of
(Bubo
one of the
pri-
showing fluting on the leading edge for soundand distinct emargination of the tip.
feathers,
and sounds
distances
HOO WHOOOOO.
WHOOO-WHOOO HOO-
like
owl and
This
HOO-HOO-HOO-
HOO-HOO
HOO-HOO-hoo-hoo-hoo.
virginianus saturatus
power
is
noted as
talons
its
and
HABITAT
Strictly
the
Pacific
coastal
forest districts.
virginianus saturatus
Ridgway
FOOD
WINGSPAN
Subspecies average
1,460.6
mm.
so
as the other
and
Horned Owl
waterfowl
killer of
ular. If
rarely
prey
is
races. It
ducks,
abundant,
it
geese,
mm.
mm.
much
however, a decided
and swans
in partic-
a great
is more
Horned Owl
many
regularly a
races.
(15. 9" )
TAIL LENGTH
Subspecies average: 234.1
is,
if
it
NEST
(9.2").
Usually an old
or spruce
hawk
fir
tree.
BEAK LENGTH
Subspecies average: 42.0
mm.
(1.7").
EGGS
Despite the fact that
VOICE
Owls,
call
of
the
is
256
this
is
Horned
trifle
The mating
its
Horned Owl
(Okanagan).
MIGRATION
The Dusky Horned Owl makes
erly migrational
very
of a south-
little
LVII)
ONTARIO HORNED
Bubo
SCIENTIFIC
DESCRIPTION
Bubo
Ontario
Cont.
Bubo
Museum
Publication,
Volume
thu)
54,
Number
the
HABITAT
scription:
which
is
listed in the
was
in
5,
classed with
Check-list.
Breeding data on
as
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
colored
race,
areas of partial
north-
virginianus wapacu-
1957 A.O.U.
OWL
nearly
as
can
be
still
breeding
ascertained,
is
rather
subspecies
is
a very light-
much
lightest of the
virginianus)
ginianus pallescens)
species.
is
MIGRATION
None.
still
{COLOR PLATE
Dusky l Ontario JArctic Horned Owl
LVIII)
257
wapacuthu)
on
sides
and
There
flanks.
is
There
color.
is
and there
is
The
slight
rim
jet black.
eyes,
and the
facial
is
to
Quite similar
the
in
pattern to the
occidentalis),
ation to the
scalariventris) but
less
black,
and
possibly a
little
larger.
FOOD
Almost exclusively ptarmigan,
arctic hares,
and water-
fowl.
NEST
ARCTIC
HORNED OWL
Bubo
virginianus subarcticus
SCIENTIFIC
(Hoy)
muskeg
DESCRIPTION
Bubo
virginianus
scription:
Bubo
Academy
subarcticus
(Hoy).
Original
de-
areas.
of
Winters to southern British Columbia and the northern United States from Idaho to Nebraska and
Wyo-
ming.
Casual in
New
OTHER NAMES
white horned owl
MIGRATION
tion.
name
The
Arctic
southerly
movement during
irregular
easterly
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus
wooded area of northscalariventris)
western Roseau County, Minnesota, with some details of
Some
The
pale
Arctic
is
similar to the
2 58
Horned Owl
observed in a heavily
facial feathers
Horned Owl
and
foot.
f\osei>>
j/)A
Co.,
Ikf
&X
-^^fr
(1957 Edition) American Ornithological Union Checkincludes only the latter, with the Ontario Horned
list
Owl and
the
Bubo
the Arctic
virginianus
purpose of
mind
this
fication.
Owl
The
marcation become
difficult in the
extreme
lighter
is
slightly
lines of de-
light or
dark
Snowy Owls
-a
Horned Owl
is
lighter
in
coloration
than
the
Owl
Tundra
Horned Owl.
HABITAT
Bubo virginianus wapacuthu generally prefers somewhat less forested areas than the Ontario Horned Owl
or the Arctic Horned Owl, although some scattered
trees are essential.
virginianus
wapacuthu (Gmelin)
FOOD
SCIENTIFIC
DESCRIPTION
Bubo
virginianus
scription:
Volume
Wapacuthu Owl
1,
in
northeastern
British
Columbia
(Peace River), southward to central Alberta, Saskatchewan, central Manitoba, and northern Ontario.
Winters south to western Washington, southern BritColumbia, northern Idaho, Wisconsin, and southern
ish
Ontario.
Volume
woods
MIGRATION
There
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
is
migrational
discussion
scientific
still
Horned Owl
Horned
and this Tundra
when
movements on
highly
irregular
basis,
Bubo
virginianus
Owl (Bubo
Horned Owl
260
scalariventris)
the
virginianus subarcticus)
are
all
valid subspecies.
Arctic
The most
recent
Ilnttiid
Some
Owl (Tundra
of the Arctic
Horned Owl
IfffrC**
ft
fs
U^
If'
COMPARISON TABLE
Relative Size of North American
Smallest
Owl
Rank
Species
Owl
losa) surpasses
{Nyctea scandiaca)
{Bubo
ginianus)
both Snowy
in
total
length,
Owl
Great Horned
yet
surpass the
virginianus
vir-
Owl and
Great Gray Owl not
is
Species
Points
19.842
Owl
1st
Whitney's Elf
2nd
3rd
4th
5 th
6th
Owl
Flammulated Owl
Whiskered Owl
Saw-whet Owl
Eastern Screech Owl
Richardson's Owl
Western Burrowing Owl
American Hawk Owl
Long-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl
California Spotted Owl
Northern Barred Owl
Barn Owl
Great Gray Owl
Great Horned Owl
Snowy Owl
Ferruginous
7th
8th'
9th
10th
11th
12th
13th
14th
15th
16th
17th
18th
22.030
22.308
24.862
26.439
28.073
31.656
34.668
36.727
51.750
56.780
60.631
63.377
65.599
65.672
112.680
115.834
123.483
number
will
result
for comparison
For ex-
purposes.
Owl
totaled
mum
weight
the
inches
the
(70.091).
and
(30.216),
inches
of
tail are,
of
total
wingspan
COMPARISON TABLE
length
(71.570).
Species
Millimeters
Inches
Snowy Owl
Great Horned Owl
recommend
59.5x45.5
56.8x48.0
55.3x43.9
50.0x41.9
50.0x41.3
42.4x32.4
40.1x33.3
39.6x31.9
39.3x31.5
35.8x30.0
32.9x27.3
32.9x27.3
32.2x26.9
30.5x25.1
29.0x23.6
27.7x23.6
27.5x23.5
26.7x23.8
2.3X1.8
2.2X1.9
2.2x1.7
2.0x1.7
2.0x1.6
1.7x1.3
1.6x1.3
it
list-
figures
for
Rank
total
length,
at the point
minimum
weight,
minimum
total length,
and minimum
wingspan.
California Spotted
Owl
Barn Owl
Long-eared Owl
Short-eared
Owl
Owl
Eastern Screech
Whiskered Owl
Western Burrowing Owl
Owl
Richardson's
Saw-whet Owl
Ferruginous
Owl
Flammulated Owl
Whitney's Elf
Owl
RANK
IN SIZE OF
COMPARISON TABLE
THE OWLS
Maximum
Largest
Rank
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
1
1th
12th
13th
14th
15th
16th
17th
18th
262
Species
Snowy Owl
Great Horned Owl
Great Gray Owl
Northern Barred Owl
California Spotted
Owl
Barn Owl
Owl
Long-eared Owl
American Hawk Owl
Richardson's Owl
Western Burrowing Owl
Eastern Screech Owl
Saw-whet Owl
Whiskered Owl
Flammulated Owl
Ferruginous Owl
Short-eared
Owl
Points
171.877
153.384
146.719
91.856
89.119
86.163
76.296
71.021
62.310
46.162
43.326
42.519
35.068
34.099
32.404
26.298
25.080
22.717
Weight
Grams
Snowy Owl
Great Horned Owl
Great Gray Owl
2,002.6
1,876.0
1.523.9
651.2
591.1
573.2
Owl
Barn Owl
Owl
Long-eared Owl
American Hawk Owl
Richardson's Owl
Western Burrowing Owl
Eastern Screech Owl
Whiskered Owl
Flammulated Owl
Saw-whet Owl
Ferruginous Owl
Short-eared
Comparison Tables
Owl
1.6x1.2
1.4x1.2
1.3x1.1
1.3x1.1
1.3x1.1
1.2x1.0
1.1X0.9
1.1X0.9
1.1X0.9
1.1X0.9
Species
California Spotted
1.6x13
Ounces
70.1
65.7
53.3
22.8
20.7
20.1
429.4
333.4
273.5
235.2
222.7
222.4
15.0
186.7
6.5
149.3
124.1
4.3
88.2
50.7
30.6
11.7
9.6
8.2
7.8
7.8
5.2
3.1
1.8
1.1
COMPARISON TABLE
COMPARISON TABLE
Minimum
Average Weight
Species
Grams
Ounces
Snowy Owl
Great Horned Owl
1,659.8
58.1
1,522.9
53.3
1,339.9
46.9
450.9
446.9
442.2
311.8
275.2
238.7
217.5
208.3
204.0
163.0
131.8
15.8
104.3
3.7
80.4
42.8
25.6
2.8
Owl
Short-eared
Long-eared Owl
American
Hawk Owl
Richardson's
Owl
Owl
Whiskered Owl
Flammulated Owl
Saw-whet Owl
Ferruginous
Owl
Owl
Flammulated Owl
Rocky Mountain Pygmy Owl
Whiskered Owl
15.5
10.9
Minimum
Saw-whet Owl
8.4
Richardson's
7.6
Owl
7.1
Short-eared
5.7
Barn Owl
American
4.6
Owl
Hawk Owl
Owl
California Spotted
1.5
0.9
Snowy Owl
Owl
Whitney's Elf
Ounces
17.0
0.6
Species
34.6
65.5
84.3
113.6
145.6
166.0
180.5
1.2
Snowy Owl
Great Horned Owl
192.7
194.1
215.4
261.3
311.9
312.1
330.0
1,056.8
1,383.8
1,448.0
COMPARISON TABLE
2.3
5.8
6.3
Short-eared
3.0
4.0
5.1
6.7
Owl
Long-eared Owl
6.8
American
7.5
Richardson's Owl
Eastern Screech Owl
Snowy Owl
Owl
Long-eared Owl
Richardson's
Owl
Owl
Saw-whet Owl
Whiskered Owl
Rocky Mountain Pygmy Owl
Flammulated Owl
Ferruginous Owl
Whitney's Elf Owl
6.3
6.6
7.0
7.1
8.3
8.4
13.0
13.3
14.2
14.3
15.3
16.1
18.4
20.9
24.3
9.2
Millimeters
Inches
1,816.5
1,575.0
62.1
1,098.7
891.8
654.1
25.8
1,139.2
1,130.5
617.2
616.3
562.6
509.0
501.1
405.9
400.9
382.3
10.9
10.9
11.6
37.0
48.4
50.7
Ferruginous
Owl
Owl
COMPARISON TABLE
71.6
60.1
45.0
44.9
44.5
44.1
43.3
1,524.8
1,143.0
1,120.3
35.1
24.3
24.3
22.2
20.1
19.7
16.0
15.8
15.1
Minimum Wingspan
(Outstretched, tip of wing to tip of wing)
tail
feathers)
Species
6.0
Hawk Owl
Total Length
5.8
151.0
160.0
166.4
176.3
179.1
Whitney's Elf
Species
5.3
Maximum Wingspan
Grams
Owl
Rocky Mountain Pygmy Owl
Ferruginous Owl
Saw-whet Owl
Flammulated Owl
Whiskered Owl
Eastern Screech Owl
Western Burrowing Owl
Richardson's Owl
American Hawk Owl
Long-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl
Barn Owl
California Spotted Owl
Northern Barred Owl
Great Gray Owl
Great Horned Owl
Snowy Owl
Inches
146.1
COMPARISON TABLE
feathers)
209.6
212.9
328.9
336.3
360.7
363.5
389.3
407.9
468.1
531.1
617.3
7.3
W eight
Species
Maximum
Owl
Eastern Screech
9.6
tail
Millimeters
135.5
Great Gray
COMPARISON TABLE
Total Length
Species
15.6
Millimeters
845.3
766.9
641.5
613.7
606.3
534.7
446.7
434.7
407.7
308.6
284.5
264.4
217.2
190.6
190.6
188.7
183.2
167.1
Inches
33.3
30.2
25.3
24.2
23.9
21.1
17.6
17.1
16.1
12.2
11.2
10.4
8.6
7.5
7.5
7.4
7.2
6.6
Owl
Owl
Barn Owl
Great Horned Owl
Great Gray Owl
Snowy Owl
Comparison Tables
Millimeters
353.1
361.9
368.4
375.3
379.1
458.5
479.7
499.1
558.9
777.5
920.9
942.0
963.9
970.9
1,029.0
1,242.6
Inches
13.9
14.3
14.5
14.8
14.9
18.1
18.9
19.7
1.303.8
22.0
30.6
36.3
37.1
38.0
38.3
40.5
49.0
51.4
1,316.7
51.9
263
COMPARISON TABLE
Maximum
Individual
Snowy Owl
Great Horned Owl
Great Gray Owl
Barn Owl
Northern Barred Owl
California Spotted Owl
Short-eared Owl
Long-eared Owl
Hawk Owl
Owl
Owl
Whiskered Owl
Flammulated Owl
Saw-whet Owl
Ferruginous
Owl
Hawk Owl
Long-eared Owl
Owl
Barn Owl
California Spotted
Owl
Snowy Owl
Maximum
Species
Hawk Owl
Owl
Short-eared Owl
Richardson's Owl
Eastern Screech Owl
Western Burrowing Owl
Ferruginous Owl
Whiskered Owl
Saw-whet Owl
Long-eared
264
Owl
14.0
14.0
13.3
9.1
7.5
Barn Owl
7.3
Short-eared
7.0
Long-eared
11.9
5.9
American
flesh to
Millimeters
50.8
56.7
57.2
57.8
58.8
66.9
73.4
75.1
Owl
Owl
Hawk Owl
4.6
4.2
Snowy Owl
102.0
4.0
Great Gray
Owl
Maximum Beak
(From
tip!
Inches
2.2
2.3
2.3
2.3
2.6
2.9
3.0
3.5
124.8
135.9
143.1
173.0
208.2
210.1
212.3
230.4
287.0
4.9
5.4
5.6
6.8
8.2
8.3
8.4
9.1
11.3
14
Length
Millimeters
Species
3.9
4.9
Snowy Owl
5.0
5.1
California Spotted
5.8
Long-eared
6.2
American
3.9
2.0
3.5
Inches
88.1
COMPARISON TABLE
11
Owl
Owl
Inches
47.1
1.9
46.6
30.5
28.2
24.6
23.5
20.6
1.8
1.2
1.1
1.0
0.9
Hawk Owl
20.1
0.8
0.8
Short-eared Owl
Eastern Screech Owl
19.9
0.8
18.7
0.7
18.1
0.7
16.6
0.7
15.3
0.6
13.0
0.5
12.7
11.1
0.4
14.0
10.3
0.4
9.9
0.4
9.4
0.4
6.3
8.4
10.6
11.2
12.1
12.3
14.1
15.6
Whiskered Owl
Richardson's
Owl
Ferruginous Owl
Whitney's Elf Owl
COMPARISON TABLE
12
15
Tail Length
Whitnev's Elf
14.1
Whiskered Owl
Flammulated Owl
5.7
COMPARISON TABLE
American
16.8
144.9
116.8
106.8
Millimeters
89.4
98.8
99.8
124.3
127.0
128.3
147.5
156.2
158.9
212.7
269.2
284.9
307.3
311.2
322.8
355.8
358.2
395.3
Ferruginous Owl
Whitney's Elf Owl
Short-eared Owl
Northern Barred
17.0
Species
Tail Length
Species
American
18.8
5.7
COMPARISON TABLE
Minimum
Inches
145.1
Owl
13
tip)
Millimeters
447.3
430.5
426.2
356.6
355.6
355.5
336.7
301.0
229.7
190.9
184.3
177.8
148.8
Species
Richardson's
Minimum
Wing Length
American
COMPARISON TABLE
10
(From
outermost tip)
Millimeters
344.8
261.7
260.4
254.5
231.6
192.6
184.8
168.9
158.8
119.9
95.5
Inches
13.6
10.3
10.3
10.0
9.1
7.6
7.3
6.7
6.3
4.7
3.8
89.1
3.5
88.9
76.3
74.0
71.3
64.9
60.3
3.5
3.0
2.9
2.8
2.6
2.4
Species
Owl
Whiskered Owl
Eastern Screech Owl
Long-eared Owl
Short-eared Owl
American Hawk Owl
California Spotted Owl
Northern Barred Owl
Barn Owl
Snowy Owl
Great Gray Owl
Great Horned Owl
Richardson's
Comparison Tables
Millimeters
Inches
8.1
0.3
8.2
0.3
8.6
0.3
8.7
0.3
11.5
0.5
12.5
0.5
13.3
0.5
13.5
0.5
14.1
0.6
15.2
0.6
15.8
0.6
18.2
0.7
20.3
0.8
21.1
0.8
21.1
0.8
24.6
28.0
1.0
30.8
1.1
1.2
cosmopolitan
coverts
patch or area
overlying
of
which
feathers
crepuscular
GLOSSARY
the day, both morning and evening, but especially evening. (See also Diurnal
An
adult
spects, including
plumage,
plumage.
and
skin,
eyes.
and pinkish
Melanism.)
feathers
alula
re-
all
small
thumb)
anal area
and
beak,
(See
feet.
also
deciduous
(or
with
dichromatic
or
residing
upon
any
of
trees
in
kind.
size
Not symmetrical;
that
same
not the
is,
in
The
axillaries
The
barrings
(side-to-side)
(or jaws),
and
of
feathers,
the
The
skull,
without
on each side of
on the in-
such as
corners of
have a
stiff,
mouth
indented or notched
distinctly
which
margin on the
young
The
facial disks
rounded areas of
plumage on the owl's face
distinctly saucerlike
The
Occurring
The
wrist;
in a geographical area
more
as the ex-
and
family
The
cavity
inside
the
or
firs,
Circular
differ in
in
one or more
in
feces
to
trees
circular)
bearing
within
rings
common
center.
cones,
such
ferruginous
Reddish brown in color,
flanks
The longish plumes overlying
by
flush
as
The
The
largely
(or
Pertaining
contour feathers
which
Strigiformes (Owls).
coniferous
(usually darker
concentric
group of
of feathers
Families:
anus,
laid.
total
line
the
vent
slightly larger)
upper beak,
The common
The narrow
facial rim
which the
pines,
fluffy
its
The
emarginate
clutch
Soft,
ear tufts
bation.)
cloaca
way.
The
carpal joint
in
migrate
keep them
cere
within
may
owls.
casual
range
side
Ne-
to
it
owl.
arctic subregion.
some
which
to
Of
brooding
and
calipers.
bristle
resident,
geographical location.
geographical
down
com-
is
normal
ear
bill)
one
cially
markings on the
boreal
The
in a regular
first
transverse
through
diurnal
or armpit area.
beak (or
Having two
asymmetrical
distribution
asymmetrical
trees:
Associated
The
defecation
arboreal
hardwood
cottonwoods, willows.
The
some-
sonally;
(or upper
to cere;
eyes,
feathers
stiff
of color pigmentation in
to
and Nocturnal.)
albinism
in
crown
culmen
flutings
To
The
toothlike formations
wing and
like feather
tail feathers.
Glossary
265
mature
adult
full
from
The opening
gape
of the
mouth, usually
to
its
widest ex-
species
or
group of
tent.
genus
Genera).
(plural
characteristics
separate
justify
to
single
classification
and
In
granulated
ground color
general
The
the
of
immediately
most
basic,
coloration
visible
surface
apparent
owl's
the
of
The
The backward-bending
immaculate
above the
is
loca-
(usually annual
process
old
with
feathers
among
new;
owls)
generally
of
re-
occurring
is
not
The
among owls
often delayed in
is
The
{plural Irides).
characteristics, but
from other
or-
The
ornithology
of zoology.
pellet
usually
compact and
mucus-coated,
initially
bones,
lation.)
The complete
plumage
postnuptial
when
juvenal plumage
An
like
of smell.
formes.
that
incubation period
The upper-back
occiput
some
at
specific
one stage
feather covering
in
its
worn by
period as a juvenile.
Behind or
postorbital
primaries
in
(singular Primary).
The
age.
and Rectrices.)
The
length
fullest limit,
most
tail
geographical
to
nape
juvenile
The
placing
iris
at
or climate.
molt
immature
first
due
the
and overlaid
migration
is
own
gular area
this
plumage.
heel
(or
belly
total
measured
tip of the
beak
in a straight line
to the
outermost
its
pupil
quill
The
bend of the
the middle (or median)
rectrices
which
is
surrounded
See Subspecies.
(singular
Rectrix).
The
tail
feathers
of
any
bird.
regurgitation
feathered or un-
The
act of oral
ejection
feathered.
by the owl of
(called
pellets)
of undigestible materials.
maculate
also
Im-
resident
maculate.)
facial disk,
An
owl native
to a particular
geographical loca-
tion.
The
malar region
mandible
tail
coverts.
lores
iris.
larger
The
by the
feather.
266
for
running
lower mandible.
rufescent
Reddish in color.
The dorsal portion of
rump
tail.
Glossary
scapulars
Longish feathers, usually broader than others
around them, which overlie the shoulder blade.
secondaries
The inner, principal flight feathers of the
wing, which are shorter than the primaries. (See also
Primaries and Rectrices.)
shaft
The central, horny stem of each feather; also called
wing
of
with
like
the
among one
but
another,
varia, occidentalis,
same
the species
to
suborbital
Below the
subspecies
underwing coverts
its
own;
species.
superciliaries
of the owl,
is
not
characteristics
The
shared
Eastern Screech
line of feathers
webs
length
The
facial disk
viscera,
longest
rectrix
its
or
outermost
of a feather
lines
which grow
total
The
tail
wingspan
wing
The
The
freshly
point.
talons
body
The
tip
live
feathers,
bird
feet,
or a
beak,
and wavy
weight
above each
thin
transverse.
being called the inner web, and those on the other side
the eye.
it
The
wing length
length of
Above
feathers
vermiculation
Owl
supraorbital
subspecies floridanus.
The
The
vent
See Anus.
ventral
The underside
feathers
upper-tail coverts
eye.
its
The
all
new
Type Form.
and nebulosa.
The
undertail coverts
dis-
tail
The
belong to the
all
and the
streaks
The
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The shank
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type specimen
the quill.
shoulder
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on one wing
to the
Glossary
26J
Bailey,
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H. H.
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The
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Baldwin, S. P.
S.
Charles
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is
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The Owls
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lied
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listed, therefore,
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The
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most unfollowing
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273
Index
Acadian Owl. See Saw-whet Owl
Acadian Saw-whet Owl. See Saw-whet
Owl
Adult, defined, 265
Aegolius acadicus, 5665; A. a. acadicus,
xx, 38, 56-64; A. a. brooksi, 38, 56,
60,
64-65
Owl
Alula, xxiv, xxv
defined, 265
Owl
Anal area, defined, 265
Annual broods, xxii. See also specific owls
Annual molt, xx. See also specific owls
Arboreal, defined, 265
Arctic Horned Owl, 215, 224, 257-58,
260
Arctic Owl. See Snowy Owl
Arctic Saw-whet Owl. See Richardson's
Owl
Arizona Pygmy Owl, 167, 204, 211-12,
218
Owl. See Mexican
Arizona
Screech
Screech Owl Saguaro Screech Owl
Arizona Spotted Owl. See Mexican Spot;
ted
Owl
55
xxiii,
xxv
nesting
habits,
16;
beak length,
California
mating,
enemies, defenses,
habitat,
10;
characteristics,
ears,
roosting,
14;
incubation, brooding,
17; individual
wing length, 4; legs, feet, talons, 46;
migration, 1819; mortality, longevity,
8 other names, 3 scientific name, description, 3
sexual differences, 7-8
shape at
habits
4;
species
comparison
species);
fined,
(see
xviii
also
ted
specific
265
Bendire's
Screech
Owl.
Screech
See
Owl
Long-eared
264; de-
tables,
Beak
4; tail length, 4
voice, 7; weight, 4
rest, in flight,
length,
total
and
California
Owl
Owl; Great
Horned Owl
Owl
Bibliography, 268-73
Big-eared Owl. See Great Horned Owl
Bill. See Beak
Billy Owl. See Western Burrowing Owl
Birds as prey, 236. See also specific owls
Barred
Bristle, defined,
265
Columbia Horned
Northwestern Horned Owl
Owl.
British
Brooding, xxii
(see
also
specific
See
owls)
defined, 265
Bubo
virginianus, 22460; B.
v.
algistus,
24446; B. v. heterocnemis,
224, 24648; B. v. lagophonus,
224, 248-50; B. v. occidentalis,
198, 224, 250-52; B. v. pacificus,
199, 224, 252-53; B. v. pallescens,
224, 25354; & v saturatus, 214,
254-57; B. v. scalariventris, 214,
183, 224,
183,
198,
xiv,
224,
Owl
199,
274
coloration,
xiv,
Back,
4;
ship,
Owl
Pygmy Owl
Chouette Pygmee, Cotiere, La. See Coast
Pygmy Owl
Chouette Pygmee de Californie, La. See
California
Pygmy Owl
wapacuthu,
xvi, xx,
183,
224-44;
224, 260
Burrowing Owl,
& v
Owl
xiv,
16376.
See
also
specific species
Horned Owl
Index
Collar, xxiv
Elf
Color (coloration)
(See also specific
owls): adult and juvenile, xx: sexual
differences, xx
Comman name. xiv. See also specific owls
Comparison
tables,
26264
Contour
fined,
de-
265
Owl
Dichromatic, defined, 265
Distinguishing features, xvi. See also specific owls
Distribution, xxii (see also specific owls)
;
defined, 265
Diurnal, defined. 265
Dorsal, defined, 265
Owl
Owl
influence, 176; eggs, 176; enemies, defenses, 175-76; flight pattern, 174; general
Ears,
xxiv,
xviii xx,
;
9; eyes, vision, 100; flight pattern, 99100; food, feeding habits, wastes, 109
1 1
brooding,
13-14;
109: incubation,
individual
wing
length,
name,
description,
sexual
98;
differ-
com-
and
habits
characteristics,
175;
174;
migration.
Flammulated Owl,
tures,
Owl
Ear
tion,
lated
xiv,
Owl,
species
Forehead, xxiiiff.
Form. See Subspecies
Owl
265-67
Glaucidium brasilianum, 216-23; G. b.
cactorum, 182, 216, 220, 222-23; G.
b. ridgwayi, 182. 216-22
Glaucidium gnoma, 204-15; G. g. californicum, 167, 204, 210-11; G. g.
gnoma, '67, 204, 211 IS, 218, G. g.
grinelli, 182, 204, 212-14; G. g. pinacola, 166, 204-10; G. g. swarthi, 182,
204. 214-15
Golden Owl. See Barn Owl
Gopher Owl. See Western Burrowing Owl
Grand-Due, Le. See Great Horned Owl
Glossary,
fenses,
length,
Owl
Flammulated Screech
mulated Owl
Owl.
See
Flam-
Florida
Barred
Owl
(Strix
varia
geor-
floridana)
xiv,
Index
150,
163,
172,
Owl
general
habitat,
275
shape
at
rest,
in
4849;
flight,
ily life,
coverts
tail
54
Owl
Guadalupe Screech Owl,
96, 14445
Gular area, xxiv; defined, 266
xxii.
Hammock Owl.
Head
{see also
Topography
of
an Owl)
Owl
Hill Owl. See Western Burrowing Owl
Hindneck, xxiii
Hind toe, xxv
Hoot Owl. See California Spotted Owl
Great Horned Owl; Northern Barred
Owl
xiv,
xvi,
specific species
Hudsonian
Owl
Owl.
See
American
Hawk
Owl
Hunting methods,
xxii.
See
also
specific
owls
2j6
Saw-whet Owl
Owl
See
Owl
Horned Owl. See Kennicott's
Screech Owl
Long-eared Owl, xx, 39, 7280 {see also
annual
Western Long-eared Owl)
broods, nest, nesting habits, 78; beak
length, 73; coloration, markings, 76;
Little
80; eggs, 78-79; enemies, defenses, 77; eyes, vision, 73; flight patfood, feeding habits, wastes,
tern, 73
ence,
72-73;
length,
tail
73;
total
73;
voice,
Malar
region, xxiiiff.
defined, 266
Mammals
owls
Median (medial),
defined, 266
Index
Mice
266
Monkey-faced Owl. See Barn Owl
Montana Horned Owl {Bubo virginianus
occidentalis) xiv, 198, 224, 250-52
,
xviii.
102,
Horned Owl,
106, 135-37
Kirtland's Owl. See
Screech
Kennicott's
Owl
Mountain Pygmy Owl. See Rocky Mountain Pygmy Owl
Mouse Owl. See Eastern Screech Owl
Names,
Nape
xiv.
eared
Owl
Owl
Richardson's
Owl
Nyctea scandiaca,
xiv, 151,
18594
Florida Screech
Owl;
Pasa-
Pygmv Owl,
Owl
14648
Otus flammeolus flammeolus, 97, 135,
156-62
Otus trichopsis, 149-55; O. t. asperus,
97, '34, '49, 154-55; O. t. trichopsis,
134, 149-54
Outer eye corner, xxiii
Outer toe, xxv
Horned Owl
(Bubo
virginianus
Owl
lotte
Pallid
Char-
Owl
Palmetto Owl. See Florida Burrowing
Owl Short-eared Owl
Palm Owl. See Florida Screech Owl
Pasadena Screech Owl, 96, 118, 142-43
;
Pellets, xviii
de-
Streaked.
See Ferruginous
266
Petit-Due
Screech
d'Aiken,
Le.
See
Aiken's
Owl
Owl
Petit-Due de MacFarlane, Le. See MacFarlane's Screech Owl
Petit-Due Nain, Le. See Flammulated
Owl
de
Saw-whet Owl
Wagler.
See
Arizona
Pygmy Owl
Pillip-Pile-Tschish. See Richardson's
Plumage, xx {see
fined, 266
Owl
;
de-
Prairie
Dog Owl.
Owl
Prairie
Primaries,
xxiiiff.
cott's
Screech
Rabbit
Owl
Rectrices, xxiiiff.; defined,
266
also
specific
species
Pygmy Owl,
Pygmy Owl,
Owl
63-64;
ears,
characteristics,
5960;
prey,
63;
individual
67; food,
feeding habits, wastes, 70; general hab-
vision,
67;
and
its
pattern,
characteristics,
69
habitat,
roosting, 69
69
flight
wing length, 67
legs,
feet, talons,
shape
at
in
rest,
flight,
66-67;
tail
voice,
Owl
Northwest. See Queen
Charlotte Owl
Scapulars, xxiii, xxv; defined, 267
Scientific name, xiv. See also specific owls
Scops Owl. See Eastern Screech Owl;
Saw-whet Owl,
Flammulated Owl
lated
Owl
166,
204-
annual broods, nest, nesting habits, 208; beak length, 205; coloration,
markings, 2067
courtship, mating,
208; distinguishing features, 204; distribution, 209; ears, hearing, 205; ear
tufts, plumage, annual molt, 206; economic influence, 210; eggs, 209; enemies, defenses, 2078; eyes, vision, 205;
food, feeding habits, wastes, 208; general habits and characteristics,
207
habitat, roosting, 207; hunting, carrying of prey, 208; incubation, brooding,
209; individual wing length, 205; legs,
feet, talons, 205; migration, 210; morother names,
tality,
longevity,
206
204; scientific name, description, 204;
sexual differences, 206; shape at rest,
in flight, 204-5; tail length, 205; total
length, 205; voice, 206; weight, 205;
wingspan, 205; young, family life, 209
Rocky Mountain Screech Owl, 96, 103,
I39-40
Roosting, xxii. See also specific owls
Round-headed
Owl.
Northern
See
Barred Owl
Rufescent, defined, 266
Rump, xxiii, xxv; defined, 266
10;
length,
57;
xvi,
specific species
Screech
Owl
Screech Owl, Flammulated. See Flammulated
Owl
Screech
Owl,
Least.
Owl,
Spotted.
See
Flammulated
Owl
Screech
Whiskered
See
Owl
Owl, Whiskered. See Arizona
Whiskered Owl; Whiskered Owl
Scritch Owl. See Eastern Screech Owl
Secondaries, xxiiiff.; defined, 267
Screech
St.
and
habits
ferences,
83-84;
Owl
distinguishing
defined, 266
61
58; ear tufts, plumage, annual molt, 58; economic influence, 64;
eggs, 6163; enemies, defenses, 60;
eyes, vision, 58; flight pattern, 57;
food, feeding habits, wastes, 61
general
Picametate
mating,
courtship,
>
fined,
hearing,
ual
Pacific
coloration,
Index
markings,
59;
87
tail
shape at
rest,
in
flight,
Size,
comparison
ferences, xx
tables,
specific
262-64
owls)
sexual dif-
277
165;
Owl
Tecolote Manchado de
ican Spotted Owl
gevity,
Elf
Mex-
tific
165: shape at
ferences,
ing
Nelson. See
migration, 172; mortality, lon166: other names, 163; scienname, description, 163; sexual dif-
164;
rest,
in
flight,
tail
Owl
Whiskered Owl, 97, 134, 149-54; annual
broods, nest, nesting habits, 153; beak
length, 150; coloration, markings, 151
whet Owl
189-90;
190; hunting, carrying of prey. 190-92; incubation, brooding, 193; individual wing length, 186;
legs, feet, talons, 188; migration, 192;
mortality, longevity, 189; other names,
Screech Owl
Tecolotito de Flamulas. See Flammulated
age, annual molt, 151 economic influence, 154; eggs, 153; enemies, defenses,
Tecolotito
and
eral habits
habitat,
characteristics,
Screech
roosting,
185;
Manchado de
Arizona Whiskered Owl
Tecolotito
Manchado
Whiskered Owl
186;
193
Toes,
Topography
172,
173-76;
xxiii; defined,
xviii,
habitat,
roosting,
152;
152;
hunting, carrying of prey, 152; incubation, brooding,
153; individual wing
length, 150; legs, feet, talons, 150; migration, 154; mortality, longevity, 151;
other names, 149; scientific name, description, 149; sexual differences, 151;
shape at rest, in flight, 149; tail length,
267
of
xiv, xvi,
Owl
White Owl. See Barn Owl Snowy Owl
White Owl, Great. See Snowy Owl
White Terror of the North. See Snowy;
3-19
Owl
Undertail
267
Owl
coverts,
Underwing
2036; S. v. georgica,
xiv, 7, 20, 32-35; S. v. helveola, 7, 20,
3536; S. v. varia, 6, 2032
Stub Owl. See American Hawk Owl
Suborbital area, xxiv; defined, 267
Subspecies, xiv; defined, xiii, 267
Superciliaries, xxiiiff. defined, 267
Supraorbital area, xxiv; defined, 267
Surnia ulula caparoch, 166, 195203
Sutton's Screech Owl. See Guadalupe
Screech Owl
Swamp Owl. See Northern Barred Owl
xiv,
Short-eared Owl
Sweetheart Owl. See Barn
istics,
cies
varia,
See
c.
Spirit
Strix
163,
Llanero.
See
Owl
150,
Brewster.
12021
floridana, xiv,
Owl
rest,
total
94
Southern California Screech Owl, 87, 96,
132-35
Southern Screech Owl (Otus asio asio),
xvi, 70, 96,
Owl
xxiv;
coverts, defined,
Upper-tail coverts,
xxiii,
defined,
267
xxv
features,
hearing,
eral
Owl
Taxonomy,
Tecolote
xiii
Cornudo.
See
Great
Horned
Owl
Tecolote Cornudo Californiano. See Pa-
Horned Owl
Cornudo
Horned Owl
cific
Tecolote
278
Palido.
See
Western
habits
and
182; gen180;
characteristics,
habitat, roosting,
Washington
Spotted
Owl
xxiii,
166-67;
habitat,
roosting,
Indei
other names, 177; scientific name, description, 177; shape at rest, in flight,
177; tail length, 178; total length, 178;
weight, 177; wingspan, 178; young,
family life, 183
Wilson's Owl. See Long-eared
Wing
length,
owls)
xviii
comparison
(see
tables,
Owl
also
specific
263; defined,
267
Wingspan, xvi, xviii (see also specific
owls) comparison tables, 264; defined,
267
Wood Owl. See California Spotted Owl;
Northern Barred Owl
Wrist. See Carpal joint
;
Young,
Yuma
Owl
(Overleaf)
Asio olus
tuftsi
xm western
long-eared
owl
30. i(K>-\
%J*U'
m**
range
full
and
is
field
The
their prey.
supported
sketches of owls
fascinating text
tables, glossary,
1>\
and
bibliography.
in-
common Barn
Owl, which frequents much of the
cludes not only the
North America.
While
book, unmatched in
this
is
of owls,
also
it
who provided
Karl E. Karalus,
illustrations,
one of America's
is
foremost wildlife
artists.
Primarily
he has experience
imen
in
Allan
artist,
in biological spec-
and
collection, in taxidermy,
book
the
illustration.
W.
Wilderness
Whale.
Owl
way
iinelin
)
|
male.
E.
\l
0-385-08758-6
Printed
in
the U.S.A.
\^iy^ju^