Sexing Short-eared Owls (1 Viewer)

[PaulCountyDurham]

Hi all,

'Pictures taken Saturday morning just gone on the edges of County Durham, rough grassland/marsh area. 'Not sure if it matters in terms of sexing a bird but this is not far from the coast which may suggest that this bird is a migrant from Scandinavia or Russia about to return home.

My understanding is that males are lighter and less streaked than females. On that basis, I assumed this bird is a male (after looking 'round the internet and analysing pictures of males and females).

On the other hand, I read last night that the aforementioned criteria is not foolproof.

Male or female, and why? (same bird by the way).

Thanks in advance.

 

[lisamerlot]

From what you're saying and some google searching I think it is a male too. Would be easier if girl owls wore a bow or skirt

 

[tehri]

This second portrait, Paul, is really gorgeous !!!!
Thx.

 

[PaulCountyDurham]

This second portrait, Paul, is really gorgeous !!!!
Thx.

'A very photogenic bird with a bit of light shining on him/her!

'Looks small to me although I appreciate it's not easy to tell when there's nothing next to the bird to compare with (males are smaller than females).

I do think it's a male though given how light the bird is. 'Was wondering if there are any other criteria outside of size, extent of streaking and shade of the bird.

 

[stevo]

Female owls are slightly larger than males as well,but of course you'd need them perched side by side to see the difference.

 

[PaulCountyDurham]

Female owls are slightly larger than males as well,but of course you'd need them perched side by side to see the difference.

Aye, there is more than one SEO in that area. Unfortunately, they weren't accommodating enough to sit together!

 

[Farnboro John]

Female owls are slightly larger than males as well,but of course you'd need them perched side by side to see the difference.

Males on top....

John

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

Forget sexing from these images, plumages are highly variable in both sexes. Reliably sexed in the hand by examining patterns of inner secondaries and tail feathers,

Grahame

 

[Butty]

Looks small to me although I appreciate it's not easy to tell when there's nothing next to the bird to compare with

'not easy' = impossible.

 

[pianoman]

From what you're saying and some google searching I think it is a male too. Would be easier if girl owls wore a bow or skirt

In the bird world it seems that the males are the ones that wear the frilly things

 

[PaulCountyDurham]

Forget sexing from these images, plumages are highly variable in both sexes. Reliably sexed in the hand by examining patterns of inner secondaries and tail feathers,

Grahame

Cheers Grahame.

 

[Andy Lakin]

The two local to me are a totally different shade. Didn't realise it was due to differences between the sexes until I looked in Collin's.

 

[PaulCountyDurham]

The two local to me are a totally different shade. Didn't realise it was due to differences between the sexes until I looked in Collin's.

I think Grahame is telling us something different, Andy.

I don't know Grahame but I get the impression he knows birds inside out.

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

The two local to me are a totally different shade. Didn't realise it was due to differences between the sexes until I looked in Collin's.

You clearly did not read my earlier comment Andy. It is simply not true (contra Collins) the sexes are highly variable in tonal appearance such that females can be as pale as males and males as dark as females thus rendering sexing according to tonality unreliable.

Grahame