Well, I don’t know where the nest is but I have at least one Owlet in the Leland Cypress “forest” just a little bit larger than my closed fist.   When I first approached the trees I thought there may have been another but it was difficult to discern with the numerous birds flying around in a localized area.  Here’s what happened. 

A Blue Jay had been screeching for some time in the tree and I recognized other “bird talk” in the same immediate area.  Through the Jay’s continuous protestations I heard the traditional  chatter of Hummingbirds, as when they attack and chase each other off at the  feeder;  the alarmed or panicked chirping from various smaller birds (Nut Hatches and sparrows), and one infrequent but clear voice that resembled the screech of Owlets I had heard while viewing  Youtube videos.

EAVESDROPPING ON NATURE

Pretty cool actually.  People put cameras in their Owl Boxes to monitor the nest resulting in documenting some pretty amazing behavior of adults and their young.  Because Owl eggs do not hatch all at once there are incremental ages and sizes within the brood.  Recall the drawings, paintings, and photographs of a parent Owl on a branch with a family of little ones in descending order of height and size?    These “Owl Box” videos also provide a rare glimpse of the more shocking aspect of animal life and death while simultaneously providing the opportunity for us to pause and contemplate our own existence in this miraculous circle of life. 

THERE IT IS

Anyway, I began looking through the trees where all the commotion was (into the Sun of course) and sure enough, there it was perched on a Leland branch about 15’ high, huddled next to the trunk of the tree.  Absolutely beautiful, dare I say, adorable.  Could almost inspire thoughts of holding such a cute, wide eyed, almost fuzzy creature in your hands close to your face for a better look, that is, until the thought of having a portion of your lip, nose or ear removed reminded you it is a wild animal.      

BOMBS AWAY

Have you ever seen an Owl expel a “pellet”?  The pellet is composed of undigested fur, feathers, bone etc. that is regurgitated after feeding and digesting the parts of the prey it can absorb.   I was working with a power saw under the Leland trees once and this Barn Owl was perched above my head about 12’ on a branch with one eye slightly open sleepily monitoring my work.  The noise didn’t seem to bother him one bit.  Between cuts with the saw I heard this “plop” next to me. Yup, a fresh wet Owl pellet on the ground next to my boot.  I looked up in time to see just how wide an Owl’s mouth is when it expelled the remainder of the first pellet.  I could not believe my eyes.  An Owl’s mouth is huge!  Just under that motionless face and sharp beak is a gigantic cavern dedicated to capturing, transporting, and processing prey.  Kind of like placing you index finger to your thumb (Owls mouth closed) then opening your hand as wide as you can (mouth open).

BIGGER THAN THE BARN OWLS

This little guy looks like it is related to the Great Horned Owl family.

NOTE:  IF THE PHOTO APPEARS “STRETCHED”  JUST LEFT CLICK ON IT TO VIEW (ARROW BACK TO GET OUT) 

OWL IS APPROXIMATELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PHOTO

  

 

 

KNOW THE PARENTS

I’ve seen the parents around here for many years in addition to the common white faced Barn Owls for whom I intended the newly constructed Owl Box.  So anyway, here’s this small Owl huddled next to the trunk on a branch with those enormous big eyes wide open.  Although they may rule the area at night Owls need their day rest and he was getting none of that.      

NO WONDER MORTALITY SO HIGH

I can see why Owls have such a high mortality rate in the wild (1-2 years although if “protected” can live much longer).   There were 5 (Five) Hummingbirds flying around its position in tight patterns; several larger sparrow type birds aggressively approaching its position and withdrawing;  and this big Jay only inches from the Owls face on the same branch forcing the Owl to cower and cringe against the trunk of the tree.   I believe the choir of aggressive chattering, screeching, and chirping was due to the recognition that this was a young predator and the various other birds wanted the Owl to leave the area likely in an attempt to protect their own families.  [Based on their normal feeding and flight patterns I’m almost positive the Hummingbirds have nests in those trees as well.]

Although I never actually observed the Jay physically touch the Owlet its beak came pretty close a few times while it pecked at the huddled and intimidated young Owl.  Eventually the Owlet flew to my neighbor’s tree with a squadron of various other birds hot on its tail in pursuit.   This morning it was back in the area, doing what Owls normally do.

Well, I need to get back to work, just wanted to take a break and share yesterday’s Owlet experience.

My best to you and yours, Lew

 Here’s a link to some interesting facts:  http://www.oregonzoo.org/Cards/BirdsOfPrey/greathornedowl.htm