Hey Wise Guy

We often marvel at the many amazing behaviors and adaptations we see among our backyard birds. Over millennia, bird behaviors have evolved to perfectly meld with the environment they inhabit to provide everything necessary, and at the perfect time, for their survival and successfully raising of their young. Though most birds nest in spring and summer when insects are bountiful, owls actually nest in winter, and that is the perfect time for them to do so!

For many of our backyard birds, spring is the most optimal time to nest and hatch their young. The primary reason for this timing is driven by chances of survival. Topmost on the list of needs for survival is the availability of food for both the adults and the newborns. Consider that about 96% of our backyard birds rely on insects as their primary dietary need. Accordingly, the timing of when babies hatch is very closely related to when the weather starts to warm and when insects become more abundant.

The other late nester in our area is the American Goldfinch. They nest in late July and August. Once again, this is related to food and the survival of the young. The Goldfinch is almost exclusively vegetarian and granivorous. Namely, they’ll eat a variety of grains and seeds. Thus, they don’t synchronize their nesting with insect lifecycles, but rather one of their primary food sources; Nyjer or Thistle. In fact, when Thistle begins to seed, they produce silky strands atop the flowers. Goldfinches often line their nests with these silken threads. When the Thistle seed is mature that coordinates with when Goldfinches hatch, providing food for parents and babies alike.

For all the folklore about the “Wise Old Owl,” why would an Owl choose to nest and hatch their babies in the cold of winter? The Great Horned Owl is one of the late nesters in our area. So why does the The Great Horned Owl, a raptor, is one of the late nesters in the area. They primarily eat mammals such as mice, gophers, squirrels, and rabbits. They will also eat birds, insects, snakes, and fish.

wise old owl nest in winter? You’ve guessed it by now, food. Being a raptor, they are the ultimate carnivore. In fact, they have one of the most diverse diets among birds. They primarily eat mammals such as mice, gophers, squirrels, and rabbits to name a few. They’ll also eat birds, insects, snakes and fish. Since these animals are available prey throughout the year, they don’t need to wait till spring to nest.

Another contributing factor could be their hunting practices. Most often, Great Horned Owls hunt at night. Since winter months have longer nights, this provides even more opportunities for catching their prey. Coincidentally, hunting at night during the winter months can also be an advantage compared to the other winter nester, the eagle, which hunts primarily during the day and thus less competition for similar prey.

Keep an ear open this time of year during the evenings and nights for the sound of these owls as their courting is at a peak from October through December. During courting, the female usually calls first and in a higher pitch with Hoo, Hoo, Hoo. And the male responds in a deeper tone. Don’t confuse their calling with a Barred Owl who sounds like he’s saying, in owl hoot of course, “who cooks for you?”

Great Horned Owls rarely build their own nests. They often lay claim to another nest from a Red Tailed hawk or Herron or sometimes they’ll eat a squirrel and claim its nest. They’ll often nest in these open nests in the trees but sometimes are also known to nest in cavities in trees or hollows in between branches. They’ll lay 1 to 5 eggs, in late December or early January and just one brood a year. The eggs will incubate for 4 to 5 weeks and then fledge about 5 to 6 weeks later.

So now when you hear all that hooting and night, you’ll know what all the fuss is about. And maybe, he is a “Wise Old Owl,” after all.

NIK HIREMATH Birding Expert

Local birding experts Nik and Theresa Hiremath own and operate Wild Birds Unlimited of Leawood at 11711 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kansas. Contact them at 913-491-4887.