Concerned about an owl outside my window ... (1 Viewer)

[asdf]

First of all, I should note that I have a high level of ignorance where birds are concerned.

Yesterday I discovered an owl perched on a tree limb just outside my kitchen window (approximately 12 feet/3.7 m from the glass). I believe it is a Barred Owl. As far as I can tell, it never moved from the limb during the daylight hours. It is relatively sheltered where it is, but it still had a layer of snow covering it by the end of the day. Our sink is adjacent to the window, so there was a lot of activity that failed to disturb the owl.

I have no idea if it left its perch after dark, because we kept the outside lights off. Today, the owl is in exactly the same place. We have had owls perching nearby over the past few years, but they have never remained in one spot for more than an hour or two that I know of. I'm wondering if there may be cause for concern.

We had an ice storm a couple of days ago, and there are a number of trees down. Because of snow and sloping terrain I cannot inspect any of the downed trees to see if one of them might have been its shelter. The temperature is just below freezing, and lows have been ranging from single digits (Fahrenheit) to the low 20s. The current forecast is for more snow but no extreme temperatures. Does this behavior (the owl's, not mine) seem abnormal?

Thanks!

 

[KC Foggin]

Hi asdf and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BridForum

I envy you and your nearby Owl. Perhaps it feels it is a safe place to perch and roost during the daylight hours.
Is there a way that you can stay at the window after dark and have someone turn the light on for a split second to see if it is out prowling? If it is remaining there in the dark then your concern may be warranted and I would call a local wildlife rescue org. If it is gone then just enjoy its presence while it is there

 

[asdf]

Hi asdf and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BridForum

I envy you and your nearby Owl. Perhaps it feels it is a safe place to perch and roost during the daylight hours.
Is there a way that you can stay at the window after dark and have someone turn the light on for a split second to see if it is out prowling? If it is remaining there in the dark then your concern may be warranted and I would call a local wildlife rescue org. If it is gone then just enjoy its presence while it is there

Thank you. I'm not sure whether the mounted light is shielded by the corner of the house or not, but I could certainly illuminate it with a flashlight from the window. I just wasn't sure how much that might disturb him/her.

I definitely feel fortunate to have such a great view. I've been reading about nest boxes and may try to mount one before the nesting season if I can find a good location. I've gotten a little obsessed, so I will need hit the library to continue learning about these guys. I will post an update after dark.

 

[KC Foggin]

I will post an update after dark.

Please do and remember to keep the flashlight on for only a second or two

 

[asdf]

photo

Please do and remember to keep the flashlight on for only a second or two

I will be as quick as possible.

Here is a photo taken from a different window in order to capture the face. It was taken with a phone at full zoom, so the quality is low. If he/she sticks around, a telephoto lens may be on my shopping list.

 

[Andy Adcock]

It's just doing what Owls do in the daytime.....nothing.

Try not to disturb it too much and you may be able to enjoy it longer but it will almost certainly be gone at some point.

 

[Nutcracker]

Yes, a Barred Owl . . . lucky you!

 

[KenM]

It's just doing what Owls do in the daytime.....nothing.

Try not to disturb it too much and you may be able to enjoy it longer but it will almost certainly be gone at some point.

Meet my ''5 year old +'' alarm clock.....just can't get rid of him. :eek!:

 

[nartreb]

Does this behavior (the owl's, not mine) seem abnormal?

Nope. During the day, most owls rest and digest. (They have to vomit up bones and other indigestible bits as pellets, so digestion is a time-consuming process that prevents them from getting a new meal.) If spotted by jays or other birds, they may be harassed and chased, so they'll pick a well-hidden spot where they can disappear against a tree trunk, and won't move a muscle.

 

[asdf]

Good news!

She took off shortly before dark, so I was obviously worried about nothing. Unfortunately she's not roosting in view of any window, today. She's well camouflaged, so I may have overlooked her. Hopefully she will stay close.

Is a nest box a bad idea for any reason? Our property seems to be a decent habitat (several acres of woods with plenty of hardwoods, a stream, a lot of wildlife, no busy roads within a half mile, no nearby farmland, etc.). If it's better to leave it totally natural, though, I don't want to interfere.

 

[asdf]

Meet my ''5 year old +'' alarm clock.....just can't get rid of him. :eek!:

Wow! What type of owl is that? I would love to have a natural alarm clock like that. Maybe it would help roust lazy teenagers on the weekends. |:d|

 

[Sangahyando]

Wow! What type of owl is that? I would love to have a natural alarm clock like that. Maybe it would help roust lazy teenagers on the weekends. |:d|

Tawny Owl, famous for its calls, which are often used (as stock recordings) in the background of movies or other media to convey a night-time ambience or a "sinister" atmosphere. It's slightly smaller than a Barred Owl, but I guess their ecological niches are similar.

 

[KenM]

Wow! What type of owl is that? I would love to have a natural alarm clock like that. Maybe it would help roust lazy teenagers on the weekends. |:d|

That’s his roost hole (in the ivy), he is currently leaving his roost incrementally later each evening, as the days lengthen....unfortunately his hooting has no effect on our 14 year old grandson...suspect it’s the headphones!