Great Horned Owlets Flew the Coop ©

 Two days before leaving the nest--the owlets are about six weeks old when they leave the nest.

Out of the nest they do walk around but the young birds have not learned to fly yet. 

Still looking for mom--the parents must continue to feed them.  

Three weeks after leaving the nest the young owls will have learned to fly.

It is wise to stay away from young owls as Great Horned Owls are not afraid to attack if they feel their family is threatened.  Don't think that they don't give a hoot!

Surviving in the owl world takes skill and training. 

So the young owls will remain near their parents often into late summer or sometimes even early fall.

Just after dusk, if you listen you may hear the sound (a "shriek" or scream) of owlets begging for their next meal.

And now imagine a Great Horned Owl parent hunting for yet another rodent to feed its begging young!

The Great Horned Owl is the only animal that eats skunks. Yuk!

There aren't many birds or mammals that prey on the Great Horned Owl.

But it does have its threats--

Man plays a role in endangering the population of the Great Horned Owls.

Loss of habitat decreases the owl's nesting and hunting territories.

And some agricultural practices, such as the use of insecticides and pesticides, can harm the owls that feed on insects and rodents.

If a Great Horned Owl was the same size as a human, its eyes would be as big as oranges.

Third Eyelid--nictitating membrane (from Latin nectar, to blink) transparent or translucent third eyelid.  Preset in some animals that can be drawn across the eye for protection and to moisten it while maintaining visibility 

Owls cannot "roll their eyes", as we can, without moving their heads because the eyes are plug-shaped and are fixed snugly into the eye sockets in the skull.  

Raptors have 14 vertebrae, twice as many as we have, so the owl directs its vision by rotating the head 270 degrees.

"WHOOO HOO"

(Copyright 2014)