Random Fact

Most owls don't really make the hooting noise, "Hoo, Hoo!" That everyone thinks they do. Some species like the Barn owl and the Snowy owl, make screeching noises. Other owls make a "Coo, Coo" noise much like a dove. Only a few owls make the "Hoo" noise of which many people think all owls do. The Barred owl makes that noise, and no others that I can think of.

The Burrowing Owl

The votes have been unanimous! (Only one person voted...) This week is the Burrowing Owl, Athene Cunicularia! I know most of the stuff about this owl because I did a project on it last year. Anyway, this owl is a brown owl (in many different shades) with white spots. It has yellow, circular eyes and white tufts around the eyes and beak. It has long, featherless legs that, somewhat surprisingly, it uses for running. The owl normally lives in burrows, digging it's own or taking over an abandoned badger, fox, armadillo, skunk, or prairie dog den. These owls are featured in a few books, such as Carl Hiaasen's "Hoot" and Kathryn Lasky's "Guardians of Ga'hoole" (My personal favorite series, you have no idea how long I have wanted to put that on this blog) These owls lay 2-12 eggs, and (eww!) line the burrows with horse or cow manure. They eat small rodents and birds, also some snakes or bugs. The burrowing owl is, unlike most owls, diurnal. Genetic similarity and overall appearance unite it with the other members of Athene. These are the Little Owl of Eurasia and northern Africa, the Spotted Owlet of southeastern Asia, and the extremely rare Forest Owlet. They make a "Coo, Coooo" sound and a series of clucks and chatters. Here is the link to hear the sounds: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Burrowing_Owl/sounds. Below are some images.

Adult Burrowing owl in flight

Family Time!

Juvenile Burrowing Owl

Spotted Owl

The votes are in! This week is.... The Spotted Owl! The spotted owl is an owl that lives in coniferous areas. They also may live in canyons or in the mountains. They, like most owls, can live to be 17 years old. They are a brown of many shades, and are covered in white spots. They have large, black-brown eyes, and have no ear tufts. They nest in tree hollows, Open topped trees, and platforms. Spotted owls do not build their own nests and normally take a nest from another animal before laying their eggs. They lay 1-3 eggs and feed the hatchlings small rodents and bugs. They eat smaller and medium sized mammals, and hunt at night. The owl mainly makes a sound like: "Hup, Hoo-Hoo, Hooo" This owl is also one of the best-studied owls in the whole world!

Spotted owl eggs and one hatchling

Adult spotted owl after hunting

Juvenile spotted owls