by meg macdonald wildbirdsjax@comcast.net
Creatures of the night. A term reminiscent from a cult flick of the 80’s; but also a tag line for some of our favorite and fabled winged creatures. Whoo may that be, you ask? If you are thinking owls, you are right. We can boast that we share habitat with several species of owl. Jacksonville has three distinct owl populations. This population ranges from the 9”tall eastern screech owl to the 25” tall great horned. Even more amazing is that their food sources range from insects to small mammals.
Be warned. Once you read this you won’t put the cat out at night any longer. Like the hawk and like the eagle, these birds are predators. Their eyes face forward.
The eastern screech owl may be small in statue, compared to his cousins, but may still be one of the more widely ranging owls. The eastern screech owl may be found throughout the lower 48 states, minus Maine, but they prevail east of the Rockies. Because of their diminutive size they are much harder to find and observe despite their abundance. These owls do not sound the common-lore ‘whooo’ call. These owls call a tremulous or quavering, descending whiny trill. It’s a mournful, hair-on-the-back-of-your-neck-raising call. No wonder owl lore includes the belief that a sighting of this owl is an omen of misfortune.
The barred owl is somewhat larger. This owl may be as tall as 20” with a 3 and a half foot wingspan. While the call of this owl may at first sound like a dog barking or various other yawl sounds , it follows with a distinct question of ‘who-cooks-for you, who-cooks-for-you?” Despite being a creature of the night, this creature is often sighted roosting during the day.
Completing our selection of owls is the ‘Tiger of the Night’, the great horned owl. This owl is distinguished from its peers both by the widely spaced ear tufts and by its size. This owl may grow as tall as 25”, have a wing-span of four feet, and weigh up to 5 pounds. This owl is a fearless hunter. It has been known to prey upon both skunk and porcupine successfully. Its more common food sources are snakes, rats and ducks but may also eat available insects. This is the most widespread species of owl. It is a permanent resident throughout North America. Its vocalization consists of 5 syllables on one pitch: “hooo, hoo-hoo-hooo, hoooo.” This is the time of year most likely to hear this call. This bird is a winter nester, laying eggs from January into February.
All these birds are cavity nesters. Like Woodpeckers, these birds will utilize broken stumps, partial cavities or actual abandoned Woodpecker cavities. Like the Eagle, this species will fledge their young in time for spring. This provides the predators the distinct advantage in age and foraging development to prevail over the confusion and exuberance of first year birds, rodents, and other small mammals.
Creatures of the night. Of course. But this discourse has only alluded to their terrific sense of sight. The great horned can also hear a mouse move under a foot of snow. Good thing we don’t have snow.
But when you are out on these temperate nights, when you hear the whisper of wings and have your shadow consumed by yet a larger, darker shade, understand you are witnessing the source of centuries of lore and campfire scares. Fear not for yourself, fear for the dog at the other end of the leash you are holding. That is fishing with bait for tigers.
Happy Birding in the New Year!
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