Out-n-About and stumbled into a Northern Hawk Owl.
These are mid-sized Owls 14-16 in. with short pointed wings, Hawk like tails and very swift fliers.
They hunt for prey (mice/voles) during both day/night and easily spotted on a tree top from which they hunt.
Like all Owls they have incredible hearing and sight for detecting prey.
Much like the Great Gray they tend to be very human tolerant….even with me.
Cheers !
Dennis
As previously mentioned…this winter there has been an abundance of Snowy Owls. I can’t imagine the condition of some of the backroads that I would normally travel with all the Snow that we’ve had.
Still there are many well-traveled roads that will be plowed like the location where this one was found.
May recall the Snowy on a snag and using the grain bin as a blind…well this was a continuation of what unfolded when he decided to finally take flight.
Note the talons…this is the business end of things that all Birds of Prey use to catch prey…much like large barbless fish hooks.
Snowy Owls main diet consist of mice/voles here in Manitoba and lemmings in the Tundra where the spend the summer and nest…like all owls they have extremely good hearing and vision.
Cheers !
Dennis
Watching an Active Great Gray is nothing short of amazing.
We as humans can only see a deep snow covered area…a Great Gray on the other hand has the ability to hear a mouse/vole deep beneath the snow.
Great Grays are seen perched in trees, on fence posts and poles where they sit and wait, listen and watch for prey. Their large flat face acts much like a radar dish…along with the ears being off-set that helps them pinpoint the location of prey under the snow.
Once they hear something and become focused they shift into position just prior to launching towards the unsuspecting prey. Not every attempt is successful and may take more than one try in the endless search for a meal.
Cheers !
Dennis