Great-Horned Owl Update
From Kansas:May 11, 1996
To: Journey North
From:
Mr. Ken Highfill and Students
Lawrence High School, Lawrence, KS
The owlets have left the flower pot. Both owlets rest, exercise, and feed on the deck so long as they don't detect potential aggressive human behavior. We can't know for certain without DNA analyses; however, based upon the general size of the owlets, the smaller owlet in the photo may well be a male and the larger owlet a female. (Adult male great-horned owls are smaller than females.)
The owlets definitely attempt to defend themselves when any human opens the door leading to the deck. Once a week, as we videotape the owlets, we must use caution when approaching the owlets because when they are startled, they will attack each other with bills and talons. Further the owlets, are wary of any workers, who are mowing or cutting the hedges. Two days ago, Mrs. Morris observed the older owlet jump into the flower pot and fly from the flower pot onto the deck.
On the 8 May, around 5:30 p.m., Mrs. Morris watched an adult owl deliver a dead snake that was at least two feet long to the deck. The older owlet took about 30 minutes to consume the snake. The young owlet ate a rat during the same time period. Mrs. Morris admitted that she locked the deck door when the snake arrived via air mail.
Mrs. Morris reports that she commonly sees an adult owl, resting alone in the flower pot, about 2:00 a.m. Neither of the adult owls normally remain with the young during the daylight hours.
Mr. K. Highfill and Students
Lawrence High School, Lawrence, KS
Khighfil@ukanaix.cc.ukans.edu