Owl ID?

[Angus]

JBen SEOs are common Angus. The problem (right word?) is that they are really hard to find and see during the day. Most commonly you will only see them at dusk as they start to hunt.

I wonder if that is why it chose this clump of hay to stand in, and returned to it, thinking it was cover?

They are not nearly as common as they used to be. A cut and paste from Bird Studies Canada.

Species of special Concern in Canada. Grasslands are one of the ecosystems that are the most at risk, and grassland bird populations have shown greater and more wide-spread declines than any other group of North American birds. Christmas Bird Count data shows a 3% annual decrease in the North American Short-eared Owl population, with the Canadian population suffering nearly a 25% decrease in the last decade alone.Short-eared Owls nest, rest, and feed in open areas such as fallow fields, hay fields, grasslands, airports, and meadows. Loss and degradation of these habitats are thought to be the major threat to Short-eared Owls.

Lots of that type of habitat around here, but there also seems to always be large hawks flying around. Would the hawks compete with the owls or feed on them?

[Sharon]

"I wonder if that is why it chose this clump of hay to stand in, and returned to it, thinking it was cover?" quote Angus


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I think this continued -20+ weather in Southern Ont has to change some normal behaviours of birds and other animals. Makes identification of behaviour etc. skewed.

[Hunter John]

This was posted on the weather network.today . the guy who took the picture said he pet it and it never opened it's eyes.

[Angus]

This was posted on the weather network.today . the guy who took the picture said he pet it and it never opened it's eyes.

Very Cool ! ( Pun intended ! ) Backs up what Sharon was saying about a possible change in behaviour?

[Sharon]

I'm finding dead sparrows here and there on my property ; never seen that before ............. and we feed the birds and rabbits.

[Rodbender]

I'm finding dead sparrows here and there on my property ; never seen that before ............. and we feed the birds and rabbits.

In tacked they froze or flew into a window, ripped apart cat or Raptor got them where is the closest water source for them to get a drink??

[Sharon]

No cats around here and we maintain a heated bird bath, but I hear what you are saying. Just too many of them dead though.

[Angus]

In tacked they froze or flew into a window, ripped apart cat or Raptor got them where is the closest water source for them to get a drink??

I never though of that, there was a cattle trough about 15 yards away from where the owl was sitting.
The same one I had to thaw freakin twice today !!!! lol