Maruthu Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 Greetings, I liked owls from as long as I can remember. There are 2 common ones around here, spotted owlet and barn owls. There are about a dozen spotted owlets screeching during the night in my neighborhood, but haven't seen any barn owls resting near by though. I'm thinking about making a bird house for barn owls and placing it on the roof of where I live. But haven't heard about this from anyone around here as people consider them bad luck. I like them a lot though. If you have Barn owls living in your barn or around where you live or have any input on the bird house, please share. Not sure how different these rodent killers behave in the tropical compared to cold weather places. Most of the info I've read so far came from websites based out of cold countries, but I'd definitely like to know more about them. May be I'll learn a thing or two about their behaviour around here if I was lucky enough to have a couple of owls nest in my bird house Pics are great if you have any Maruthu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrhjr Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 We have a lot of owls around here...many different ones. Old growth forest and field edges (or relatively...as the entire East Coast of the U.S. was basically timbered off a few hundred years ago) Ran into a Screech Owl once...embedded itself in my car's grill. Mounted his wings on a board and his little furry feet too all spread out. Let them dry and had them displayed, but a mouse got them powerless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maruthu Posted August 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 We have a lot of owls around here...many different ones. Old growth forest and field edges (or relatively...as the entire East Coast of the U.S. was basically timbered off a few hundred years ago) Ran into a Screech Owl once...embedded itself in my car's grill. Mounted his wings on a board and his little furry feet too all spread out. Let them dry and had them displayed, but a mouse got them We do have a lot of species of owls around here, but I live in the city now and I haven't spotted anything other than the two species I've mentioned earlier. In terms of possesing dead owl parts you can get into trouble around here where I live (as they are protected species) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrhjr Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 Here too...but this poor little guy was destined to be fox bait so I stuck him on the wall of the cabin. He's not the only one... There's a stuffed owl in the rafters looking down, but he's legal. Years ago some of the guys had a beagle club and they would train the dogs on released rabbits. Owls started killing off the rabbits (even when set out on a course) so they got a permit and trapped a few...this one got stuffed. I love listening to the owls (and occasionally seeing them) early and late when I'm in the woods hunting. powerless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maruthu Posted August 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 Here too...but this poor little guy was destined to be fox bait so I stuck him on the wall of the cabin. He's not the only one... There's a stuffed owl in the rafters looking down, but he's legal. Years ago some of the guys had a beagle club and they would train the dogs on released rabbits. Owls started killing off the rabbits (even when set out on a course) so they got a permit and trapped a few...this one got stuffed. I love listening to the owls (and occasionally seeing them) early and late when I'm in the woods hunting. That's got to be some starving owls if they were hunting rabbits chased by dogs. Got any pics of the stuffed one? I hope they weren't taking down great horned owls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrhjr Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 It was a Great Horned Owl, but an immature one. He (she?) is only about a foot and a half tall, the get a bit bigger. We have a lot of these guys and they are quite territorial. You might hear half a dozen at times in the woods...everybody checking to make sure the other guy's in their proper hollow. We had quite a number of Snowy Owls this year (usually incidental) One day I was on the phone early in the morning sitting on the deck when one flew by...COOL. A few minutes later another one went by...even cooler! powerless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t58martin Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 Houses designed for Barn Owls can be found easily with a web search. Having the Owls accept the house in favor of other choices may be an issue. I can't recall ever seeing a Barn Owl in my life time. I have seen plenty of Snowy, Short Eared, Barred, and Great Horned owls. Where I live now Barred Owls and Great Horned owls are very common. They like to hang out in the pine forests year round. There are many superstitions around Owls, they go back a long way in many different cultures. Some believe they are a sign of death or bad luck. I just think of less rodents. Regards,TMAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookinfinger Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 " But haven't heard about this from anyone around here as people consider them bad luck ". It sounds as though you won't have much company coming over to your place if you do attract the owls. Hopefully your neighbors won't get pissed and blast them ! Anyway, good luck with this adventure. Hope your luck remains good. Dennis Quote TimS "...we have 30 moderators and 7 administrators, we aren't taking on any vigilantes at this time". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maruthu Posted August 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 " But haven't heard about this from anyone around here as people consider them bad luck ". It sounds as though you won't have much company coming over to your place if you do attract the owls. Hopefully your neighbors won't get pissed and blast them ! Anyway, good luck with this adventure. Hope your luck remains good. Dennis I was thinking the same thing. The place I live now is kind of like an apartment with other families living in the same building. I was wondering, if I got an owl in the bird house and coincidentally someone dies in the building, then I don't want to be blamed But, I'm planning to move to another place, will consider a place where there is no one else living in the same building that might have issue with the owl. I might have to also consider if I moved from that place, no one should disturb the birds. But, I'd first like to listen to others who has them in their house/barn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrhjr Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 From "Virginia Wildlife" Magazine. http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/outdoor-report/2009/11/24/ powerless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richie c Posted August 2, 2014 Report Share Posted August 2, 2014 Quote:Originally Posted by jrhjr Here too...but this poor little guy was destined to be fox bait so I stuck him on the wall of the cabin. He's not the only one... There's a stuffed owl in the rafters looking down, but he's legal. Years ago some of the guys had a beagle club and they would train the dogs on released rabbits. Owls started killing off the rabbits (even when set out on a course) so they got a permit and trapped a few...this one got stuffed. I love listening to the owls (and occasionally seeing them) early and late when I'm in the woods hunting. Twice this summer I've had a screech owl perched just outside my br window and one across the cul-de sac ''talking'' to each other. A very eerie sound that I love hearing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yardguy71 Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 I just moved into my new place , we've been hearing these loud screeches in the trees surrounding the house . Last night we saw it sitting on the wires out front of my house . Barn owl 3 of them around the house . Pretty cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kings over Queens Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 Twice this summer I've had a screech owl perched just outside my br window and one across the cul-de sac ''talking'' to each other. A very eerie sound that I love hearing. Living along a river we get all manner of wildlife in our back yard. Earlier in the year we had 2 bald eagles. Last night, for only the 2nd time in 10 years, I heard 2 "hoot's" from owls. I didn't turn on the spot lights because I didn't want to frighten them away. Hopefully we hear more. #otterlivesmatter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianBM Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 Maruthu, a cautionary note. On the one hand, barn owls are happy to take a nest box, which I don't believe barred owls or horned owls will do. Barn owls are extremely vocal, they'll talk and hoot and shriek at each other all night long. Do NOT put a nest box for them where they might keep you, or anyone else, awake. NEVER on your house. I like owls and wish my neighborhood were less developed. I've seen small ones, Eastern screech owls, once or twice, once or twice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yardguy71 Posted August 4, 2014 Report Share Posted August 4, 2014 Maruthu, a cautionary note. On the one hand, barn owls are happy to take a nest box, which I don't believe barred owls or horned owls will do. Barn owls are extremely vocal, they'll talk and hoot and shriek at each other all night long. Do NOT put a nest box for them where they might keep you, or anyone else, awake. NEVER on your house. I like owls and wish my neighborhood were less developed. I've seen small ones, Eastern screech owls, once or twice, once or twice. +1 The barn owls are cool but like Brian said they don't shut up , it's quiet here tonight But last night once they started screeching (just after dark) it went on for hours . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to register here in order to participate.
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now