Barn Owls

[ruggedruger]

Had the pleasure of watching six owls grow up over the last couple months at the family farm. They were in an empty grain bin, on the bare floor. This year was a year flush with rats on the farm, and the parents took advantage. During one cold snap (you can imagine a big grain bin is not as warm as a smaller space), the chicks (owlets?) were all huddled together, and there were six fresh dead rats laying in front of them. They were too cold to eat! Anyway, they are fledged now, and it's fun to sit there in the evening, with them perched about, hunting rats.

The same rats I've discussed sniping in another thread! I'm glad to let these guys have first crack.

The photo shows 2 birds, but their little sibling is tucked behind them. They appeared to be protecting him/her.

 

[jeffnles1]

like it.

 

[GasGuzzler]

Can't see the pic no matter how many times I refresh the page.

 

[ruggedruger]

@jeffnles - do you see the pic?

 

[contender]

Cute pic!

 

[ruggedruger]

I don't think they are kin to Jessica Alba (actress), who is much cuter than these....

 

[doccash]

Great Shot !! Dr.C

 

[Knecht]

Nice!

 

[ruggedruger]

Holy cow - my post about Jessica Alba could not have made sense unless you knew the scientific name of these birds, and even then, still not funny.

Barn Owl : Tyto alba

 

[WendyZXZ]

Beautiful birds!

 

[HOGHEAD2]

Great pic, neat story- I like how the two are protecting/shielding the other one. Thanks for sharing.

 

[SATCOM]

ruggedruger,

That is a very nice story, thanks for sharing. So many ways to enjoy Mother Nature.

Are there some owl pellets laying around in the picture? Owl pellets are a great training device for students from grade school thru college. I have adapted coyote poop that is mostly hair and bones for use in identification of types food and species
eaten. I find them at a local swamp/park/education/training center for which I volunteer. More work to sterlize but usefull.

Children are difficult to convince that we have in our collection, a bird with twin sattelite dish antennas for their ears. But when they see the barn owl they can relate thru their knowledge of electronics such as sattelite TVs and cell phones just how the owl hears so well and how it can pinpoint tiny sounds of the mice prey.

SATCOM

 

[ruggedruger]

satcom,

Yes, those are pellets laying around. I've picked through a few in the past, but not from these owls, or any from Barn Owls for that matter. Seeing as the area is plagued with rats this year, it will be easy to figure out what they've been eating most likely.

A Northern Harrier also has facial disks, although not quite as prominent as an owl's. The harrier hunts low over fields and ditches, and uses sound for locating prey as well.

Image courtesy: Phil Seu Photography
http://www.philseu.com/p850254877/h149BFB55#h149bfb55

 

[SATCOM]

:shock: That is the face of a warrior!!