Barn owl update

[CarolU]

I finally got some pictures of our 'other' barn inhabitants...they're pretty ellusive and only fly at night (when it is pretty hard to take pictures). The first is what we usually see...

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/23115BarnBuddy060427.jpg

But, as you can see, there are (at least) two up there...

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/23115BarnBuddies.jpg

I've seen both watch me, but haven't gotten a clear picture of them both. I'll work on that.

[Barbwire]

I love owls! Here is a picture of an owl in my brother's barn. You can tell how small he is by looking at how he compares to the hammer.

I often hear barred owls around my house at night, but I have yet to see one.

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/65061owlbb.jpg

[Terri]

Barbara how the heck do you ALWAYS get such great pictures. By the time I find my camera, figure out how to use it, pick it up after I drop it....the potential subject of my really great picture has dropped dead of old age!

[Linda Y]

Oh, my gosh! Aren't they GREAT! I wish I had an owl in my barn!

[Barbwire]

I can't take credit for that one Terri, my brother took it.

[Jane Hurl]

I love owls too, Barb.

We had an itty bitty saw whet (sp?) owl in our chicken house one year. He was the CUTEST little thing, but he left when I entered.

Can you actually get owls to nest by putting up a box like that, CarolU, or was that a fluke?

[Moniece Dickerson]

OH WOW the owls are SO pretty!Thank you all for sharing your pictures!Your friend,Moniece

[CarolU]

Jane, we saw an owl in our rafters and so researched how to get them to nest. Basically, if you build a nest box for them, they will use it.

After we built our box, our owl 'dated' as many as four suitors (one morning there were five owls) before settling down with one. Since the males and females look the same, we don't know who is who (no pun there, these guys don't "hoo hoo" they "chitter"). Your nest has to be at least 20 feet off the ground for them to want to use it though. That precludes a lot of barns.

We wondered if we put another box at the other end of the barn if we could entice a second pair. Barn owls eat moles and voles and mice primarily. This must be a productive area, judging by the number of pellets below the nest box.

The sad part is, these beautiful birds only live about 2 years.

[CarolU]

BTW Barbara, is that a Screech Owl? He is definately small, about the size of our desert Burrowing Owls, little guys that nest in old rabbit holes. Interesting little birds.

[JennLM]

Wow, we have burring owls out here too. I love owls. They help with the rodent population around here and I bet are very welcomed in a barn.

[Abejita]

yup Barbs pic is a grey phase screech..I think..top of his head looks a little reddish..
There are websites with specs for boxes for different types of birds.Some are picky about where they will live. Steve went to check his Kestrel boxes this weekend(they have like 20 up all over the county.) Only 4 with Kestrel nests :cry: (2 are on this farm so I will have pics again this year) Lots of starlings ( which were evicted and eggs destroyed) and one box has a pair of Screech owls.One grey ,one red.I want to be there when they band those babies!!

[lisa l aka marci]

I would like to put up a box for owls once we have someplace to do it - can't see myself climbing a tree to put a box up. I do know we have owls around though, one day while out skiing my Mom and I saw the wing-tip marks in the snow from where one had gone after prey - pretty neat!

I do have a persistant little bird trying to build a nest right next to my side door! Little bugger has it right on the railing by the door knob - at least Michael and I are around little enough so that we shouldn't bother it too much - wonder if I'll find eggs tonight?

We also get Killdeer nesting in out driveway - I have to mark their nest so we don't drive over the eggs.....

[paintedhorizon]

:lol: I didn't see a difference b/t the two pics!

Barb, love that pic!

[CarolU]

:lol: I didn't see a difference b/t the two pics!


You don't?

In the first picture you see one owl's face. In the secong picture you only see the top of his head as he looks out over the back of the other owl. We frequently see two faces, but I have yet to have them both look out for their picture. We're still working on it.

Lisa, do like Sheri suggested, research for the birds in your area and build and locate a nesting box specifically for the species you want to attract. In order to get nesting/breeding pairs, you really need to get the boxes in place in the winter so they're 'home' by spring. Some species (like rotten starlings) will nest just about anywhere.

I have also filled my feeders and am ANXIOUSLY awaiting the arrival of the Lazuli Buntings...wait till you see pictures of them! Brilliant blue...pretty birds.

[appyday]

Awsome pics....they only live 2 yrs...sad..

I get Killdeer in the ring too and I have to mark their nests...

[Jane Hurl]

Me wants owls nesting ... though me thinks the cat might not be so impressed.