10 January 2011:
Believe it or not, spring is on its way. Chuck Tague found a great horned owl nesting last week at Merritt Island, Florida.
You’re probably thinking, “Of course owls nest in Florida in January. It’s warm there.” But these birds are more versatile than you think.
Great horned owls are the first birds to nest in Pennsylvania each year. They start courting in late fall and become really intense in December and January when you often hear them hooting in the woods and suburbs. By February they’ve chosen a nest site and the female lays her eggs.
Nest site selection is almost amusing. In Pennsylvania great horned owls often choose the tops of broken-off hollow trees but they also like stick nests, though they never build their own. Instead they usurp an old red-tailed hawk nest or, in this case, an osprey nest. No contest. The original owners are gone. Even if present they wouldn’t tangle with this lady!
And yes, that’s the female’s telltale “horns” sticking up. She does all the incubation.
Their secret to winter nesting success is that the female keeps the eggs at a constant 98.6oF even when it’s -27oF outside. She closely incubates the eggs for 30-37 days while her mate does all the hunting. He brings her food at night.
So keep your eyes and ears open for great horned owl activity this month. You might find out where they plan to nest, but don’t get too close. You don’t want to tangle with Mama!
(photo by Chuck Tague)
They are definitely active this month. I heard one this morning hooting quite adamantly, and have heard them at night — I think they like the pines in my neighbor’s yard. I also spotted one last week flying into the trees as I was leaving work. Of course I had to track him down, and it turned out there were two in the trees there, perhaps a mating pair.
Outstanding! I am headed down to Merritt Island in March to visit my grandma. Any way to find out where this nest is? I would love to photograph the youngins. If you know but don’t want to broadcast it, you can link to my website and send me an email.
I don’t know, but you can contact Chuck Tague privately via this page on his website:
http://web.me.com/kingrail/Natureobserver/About_Chuck_Tague.html
This is a Florida Time Share – if the Great Horned Owl vacates in time for the Osprey’s return. How many weeks has the owl reserved?
There is a stick nest atop an electrical pole along Interstate 79 north of Pittsburgh, looks just like the nest in the picture….I’m assuming it’s an osprey nest (could it be an eagle? or maybe it’s just a hawk of some type). I have been eagerly watching it every time we drive to Erie to see if I can see any birds in it…nothing yet.
Just passed the nest on 79 north…..near mile marker 133 today. Yes there was a hawk or eagle in it.
Wasn’t sure of their nesting time — thanks for cluing me in. Will start listening for their sounds in the woods at night — barbara
In our area the great horned owls start to nest at the same time skunks start to breed. If you’ve ever had the chance so smell a great horned’s breath you’ll know that skunks are a major food source for them. Talk about bad breath!!! The owlets will start to hatch at about the same time as new skunks are born. Isn’t nature wonderful 🙂
Akela