30 January 2025
Nice horned owls (Bubo virginianus) are the primary birds to nest in Pennsylvania annually(*). They begin courting in late fall and grow to be actually intense in December if you typically hear them hooting within the woods and suburbs. By January or February they’ve chosen a nest website and the feminine lays her eggs.
Since nice horned owls by no means construct a nest they typically take over an outdated red-tailed hawk nest and that’s what they did at this bridge in Oakland. Ankur and Wenting noticed the pair final Sunday 26 January.
The feminine owl is the one one who incubates, so she’s on the nest within the photograph. Look carefully behind and above her and you will notice her mate perched on a horizontal girder. He feeds her at evening and roosts close to her through the day.
In accordance with eBirder Andy Georgeson, this feminine has been on the nest since round 8 January:
[Great horned owl] persevering with – I’ve now noticed this owl on the outdated purple tail hawk nest for the final 3 weeks. … This morning the owl was mobbed by 2 Ravens and displayed a defensive posture whereas within the nest earlier than the Ravens flew off.
— eBird Guidelines remark from Andy Georgeson, 29 Jan 2025, 7:30am
Take a look at outdated red-tailed hawk nests close to you for some ear tufts sticking up. In case you see them, don’t get too shut! You don’t need to tangle with Mama owl!
p.s. The nest pictured at prime is an outdated osprey nest in Florida, claimed by an amazing horned owl.
(*)First to nest: Pigeons nest all 12 months lengthy in Pennsylvania. They by no means have an off season.
