Click on name of owl above
if you wish to see a larger image
Barn Owl
The barn owl's distinct white,
heart-shaped face is accentuated by penetrating, black eyes. Because
of its long wings, the bird prefers open country: agricultural lands, marshes
or grasslands.
Nesting sites are generally near
farms with the majority in farm buildings. As rural land is consumed
by cities and towns, barn owl habitat is disappearing.
Although the species adapts readily
to artificial nesting boxes, large, open tracts of agricultural land and
foraging habitat are also necessary for its survival. |
Burrowing Owl
Once common to the Canadian Prairies,
the burrowing owl is not much bigger than a robin. Standing on long,
slim legs on the ground or atop a fence post, it scans the treeless landscape
for rodents, insects, or small birds, ready to take to the air in pursuit.
In its underground nest — the abandoned
burrow of a woodchuck, badger, or other small mammal — the mother owl and
its mate take turns brooding six to ten eggs. If a predator threatens
their burrow, they issue a distress call that perfectly mimics a rattlesnake's
warning.
|
Flammulated Owl
This curious, nocturnal bird lives
at the northern tip of its range in Canada. Found in the Douglas
fir forests of southern British Columbia, it generally nests in tree cavities.
The little owl is a "sit-and-wait"
predator, often remaining hidden on the lookout for prey. |
|
