A couple questions about Great Horned Owls... (1 Viewer)

Steelflight said:

Hey all, hoping somebody here knows a little bit about great horned owls! I have a couple questions...

1) I heard one hooting in a wildlife park back in early January, and I heard it again on Feb. 3rd. Both times it was at the same time and in the same spot. I went up there earlier today and did not hear it (btw. 4am-sunrise). How often do great horned owls stay resident? Do they move around mid-season? If they find a mate, will they stop hooting?

2) Any tricks for finding great horned owls? Are they at all responsive to playback? Or could playback possibly scare them away?

3) When am I most likely to find them? I've been out just after sunset and never seen or heard one. I once heard one around midnight, though. I've heard the most at dawn, though (like 4am-sunrise). Is this generally true?

And lastly, are they likely to share a park with barn owls? I heard a few barn owls screaming the other day in a park (saw one of them later on-- so I know it wasn't a juvy great horned owl). Or should I scratch this park off? Someone told me barn owls and great horned owls don't get along too well.

Thanks a lot for any help or insight.

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bubo bubo said:

Hi Steelfilight, such magnificent birds are the GHOs. The night is not the same without those wonderful hooots. Let me attempt to answer your questions...

1. Adult GHOs are permanent resident year-round, however, birds living in the northern part of the species' range (alaska/can) may migrate south. The reasons you may not of seen/heard the GHOs (in the same spot), may be due to the fact they hold large territories -- need to be large to provide an adequate hunting area. Certain GHOs roost regularly in the same place throughout the year, but since they are not always found in their usual 'hideouts' it is questionable if the territorial instinct is operative during a period of several months following the nesting season.In addition to patrolling the nest territory against all invaders the owls apparently restrict their hunting to this same area. Incidentally, young GHOs may not breed for a year or two, and are often vagrants ("floaters") until they establish their own territories.

The hooting doesn't stop after they've found a mate, just less frequent. Typically, adult GHOs tend to be more vocal during the breeding season and beyond - a little more frequently at dawn than at dusk.


2. Owls in particular are responsive to playback, being curious birds and with very acute hearing. I have found GHOs less responsive to playback than other owl species. Having said that, they do and will respond. If you’re playing tapes or doing your own imitations (which i've mastered), start with a continuous series of calls for several minutes; then be silent for a few minutes. If necessary, repeat the calls. Although many owls will respond within the first few minutes, others will wait until you’ve just about given up. Remember, however, not to overdo the tape playing and once you get a response, quit.

Noteworthy: playback can give owls the wrong impression. They might think that it's signaling that there is an opportunity to mate, or that another owl is invading their territory. Also, it has been shown that silent listening in certain times of the year is almost as productive as using playback techniques.

3. GHOs live in a tremendous variety of habitats, but are likely to be most easily found in medium to extensive stands of upland forest with fields and edges nearby for hunting -- farming country, long winding roads, you get the picture?. I wouldn't necessary scratch the park off - they will be back, given time. However, I would search along the aforementioned areas also.

What time of night is best? Before dawn and at dusk are likely to be the optimal times to search. My most successful owling came between 3 a.m. and dawn on a moonlit night, when owls tend to be more vocal, and noisy traffic is at a minimum Dusk is an excellent time to go looking too. At dusk, many owls will come to forest edges to begin hunting. For listening purposes, still, calm, moonlit nights are best, but cloudy or foggy conditions can work too. Windy or rainy nights are rarely productive. Keep an eye out for power lines, telephone poles, bare tree branches, "headless lumps" and fence posts. If luck is with you, that unmistakable silhouette will rise up before you.

Lastly, GHOs are very territorial birds, they will often rid competition for food, that includes barn owls or any other owl species for that matter. Happy Owling!

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