The Great Horned Owl

Image courtesy of Rosemary Ratcliff at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

One of the largest birds in our area is the Great Horned Owl.  I have often heard them at night, especially in the late summer, when they can be heard calling to their young (especially on foggy nights).  It is a very distinct call, similar to "whowhowho-who-who-whoo."  Sometimes they also fly into the yards late at night, where they can be seen perching on top of the tallest trees and even on street lights.  I have also seen them on several occasions in the late afternoon, when I have walked through Mandan Park, and they have floated across the road in front of me like large grey ghosts.

National Geographic says mature great horned owls have a wingspan of up to 4.8 feet.  Having seen them up close, I have no trouble believing this...their wingspan looked like it was 6 feet to me! I always experience a slight thrill of fear when I see them, simply because they are so large, although I have never had one threaten me in any way.  In fact, they hardly seemed to notice me.

They always seem impervious to the human activity around them, especially when they are hunting or sitting high on top of a tree or a light pole.  Even when we have pointed at them, and walked around trying to get a better glimpse of us, they simply ignore us (or at least pretend to!)  The only time they seem reluctant to remain in my yard is when I let my very large dog outside, whereupon they usually will fly away.

Great Horned Owls are known for their hunting skills, and I have even heard about them preying on other large birds, but in this area, their favorite prey seems to be rodents.  It is the only thing I have actually witnessed them preying upon in all the years I have lived near them.  In spite of this, I still make sure to walk very close to my small dogs when I let them outside, just in case one of them happens to be lurking nearby!

Do you have any interesting information/stories to share about Great Horned Owls? If so, please leave a post!