Owls of Ohio - Ohio Department of Natural Resources

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Great gray owlStrix nebulosa TRACKS 53-55(Strix [a screech owl; not very apropos]neb-you-lo-sa [clouded; in reference to plumage coloration])R A R E O H I O O W L SNorthern hawk owlSurnia ulula TRACKS 56-59(Sir-nee-ah [Uncertain etymology; may be modern Greek for owl]You-loo-la [screech owl; imitative of calls])Photo by: ©Gary MeszarosPhoto by: ©Gary Meszaros
This is one of North America’s most spectacular owls, andin dimensions, the largest. However, much of the mass of agreat gray owl is comprised of thick plumage, which serves asexcellent insulation. A great gray weighs 2.4 lbs. on average,while the smaller great horned owl weighs about 3.1 lbs.Great gray owls live in the northern boreal forest, and onlyrarely do significant numbers venture southwards in winter.Like other northern owls, these irruptions are stimulated bya crash in their primary prey populations; small mammalslike lemmings. There are only two documented Ohio records,from 1898 in Mahoning County and 1947 on Starve Island inLake Erie. There is a chance that one could appear again, andif it does, it will be one of the most exciting events in Ohio birdwatching for quite some time.This is a species of the northern boreal forest, and quite ararity in Ohio. There have been at least two confirmed records,but several other reports have probably been correct as well.Like other boreal species, Northern hawk owls sometimesstage large southward flights in winter, known as irruptions.However, Northern hawk owls barely enter the U.S., exceptduring major irruptions, but even then are extremely raresouth of the Great Lakes.Unlike most owls, this species is diurnal and often quiteconspicuous as they are prone to perching in prominent spotslike the tips of small trees. It is likely that Northern hawk owlwill appear in Ohio again, probably in one of the countiesbordering Lake Erie.R A R E O H I O O W L S 51Range acrossNorth AmericaBreedingWinteringYear-roundRange acrossNorth AmericaBreedingWinteringYear-round
Page 1 and 2: OWLS OF OHIO c d g u i d e b o o kD
Page 3 and 4: OWLS OF OHIO OWLS OF OHIO OWLS OF O
Page 5 and 6: with both eyes simultaneously. Anot
Page 7 and 8: M o d i fi ed Fe ath er s owl morph
Page 9 and 10: Pelle t s an d W h ite wa s h findi
Page 11 and 12: Ab o u t this Bookle t and CD owls
Page 13 and 14: C O M M O N O W L S O F O H I O 13O
Page 15 and 16: y people placing nest boxes in barn
Page 17 and 18: BTRACKS7-12arred owlStrix varia (St
Page 19 and 20: C O M M O N O W L S O F O H I O 19D
Page 21 and 22: Eastern screech-owlMegascops asio (
Page 23 and 24: C O M M O N O W L S O F O H I O 23N
Page 25 and 26: Great horned owlBubo virginianus (B
Page 27 and 28: Normally solitary except during the
Page 29 and 30: C O M M O N O W L S O F O H I O 29T
Page 31 and 32: O h i o S tat u s l o ng - e a re d
Page 33 and 34: N e s ting long - e a re d o w lLon
Page 35 and 36: Northern saw-whet owlAegolius acadi
Page 37 and 38: likely. When one is found, a very c
Page 39 and 40: Short-eared owlAsio flammeus (Ay-se
Page 41 and 42: C O M M O N O W L S O F O H I O 41H
Page 43 and 44: C O M M O N O W L S O F O H I O 43i
Page 45 and 46: C O M M O N O W L S O F O H I O 45O
Page 47 and 48: C O M M O N O W L S O F O H I O 47
Page 49: Like the Northern hawk owl and grea
Page 53 and 54: This is the smallest owl in the wor
Page 55 and 56: This small owl has a broad but spot
Page 57 and 58: This species has become a symbol of
Page 59 and 60: O T H E R N O R T H A M E R I C A N
Page 61 and 62: Publication FundingFunding for this
Page 63 and 64: A ppa l achi a n Fron tAu du bon So

Owls of Ohio - Ohio Department of Natural Resources

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?