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Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

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39.2871, -77.8476

Field Notes

Notes:

Why was he out at 10 AM? Does anyone know if that is regular behavior? I suspect he may have been waiting for a skunk, because the area was most certainly sprayed... I have read this is a regular food source for them because they lack a sense of smell. I also read that they often smell because of their diet and the fact they get sprayed from one of their main sources of food. If anyone has much experience with the Great Horned Owl please let me know.

Edit: He also let me get within VERY close distance, within 10 feet, is that unusual?

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (10)
matthew.snihur
Thanks Christy, I have signed up for the NA Raptor's Mission and I have posted both the Great Horned Owl I spotted as well as two great images I snapped of a Red Tailed-Hawk.
ChristyHolland
Hi Matthew...Great Horned Owls are crepuscular - most active at dawn and dusk, but they CAN be found hunting at all hours...they're very opportunistic. They do roost (where they sleep) on branches during the day hours, and they can be found if you know where to look. You can also see them on cloudy days pretty commonly. This time of year, the babies have fledged and mom and dad are doing all they can to feed and train the youngsters, even hunting often in the daylight. This guy almost looks like he was skunked in the face - he's very squinty and his facial feathers look a bit messed up. He may just be sleepy though. They don't have a very good sense of smell so the skunkiness shouldn't bother him. Nice capture! I'd love you to add this spotting (and any others that apply) to the mission Raptors of North America: http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/8627557.
mcaul6515
I don't know much about Birds in the USA, but in Singapore, that wouldn't be normal. They would only start to move and wake up at about 4 in the afternoon, but it depends on the species. I am actually traveling in Africa right now but, kind of like you question I saw three Spotted Eagle owl (Bubo Africanus - something like that) all active at noon, outside Cape Town. So actually if any one knows the answer to that question too would be great!! I'm going to upload the photo when I get back. I hope this helps! :)
Jack Settle
Already saw it, commented, favorited, and gave you an ID suggestion. You got some nice raptor spottings!
matthew.snihur
Thanks Jack, I will wait for someone else to comment....I also posted a picture of a Hawk that I saw nearly 24 hours later (last sunday), after I spotted this owl (on saturday morning). The Hawk has a squirrel that it captured and killed, hanging from it's talons. Check it out it's pretty cool. -Matt
Jack Settle
I'm not sure. I've only seen one, and that was a baby so it couldn't leave the nest and would be there 24/7. There are some more experienced bird people on here that might know.
Jack Settle
The scientific name is "Bubo virginianus". :)
Jack Settle
It says in the first sentence of the second paragraph from this website that "Owls are mostly nocturnal creatures that can, at times, be spotted in the late afternoon or early morning." http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/indiana/journeywithnature/the-great-horned-owl.xml

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Raptors of North America
Photographed
PublishedJuly 21, 2013

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