As Ann Mitchell is almost always up for chasing owls, one of the things we had a chance to speculate about, on Friday, was female / male Short-eared Owls. On Friday as we were watching them flying the light and range was good enough to see that they almost all looked to be males. One owl in particular had a darker brown and buffy, streaked, breast with a slightly darker overall brown body. The under wing was typical, light wing lining with dark primary tips, inner buffy band, another dark band, then light primary bases setting off the carpel mark. This one we thought a female, definitely not a Long-eared. I couldn't really compare size very well, but this one was easy to pick out over and over. If anyone has other characteristics, easy to see in the field, for separating males and females I'd like to hear back. The other thing that always catches my eye is the dark carpel mark, (comma), that always makes me think of Red-tailed Hawk especially as the underwing is so light. I wonder if some Short-ears are missed, on a quick glance drive-by, by the thought of "look another Red-tail", especially if the head isn't prominent due to the angle. I've probably done that; a dangerous habit. haha
Gary On Dec 13, 2013, at 10:21 PM, Gary Kohlenberg wrote: During all this Snowy Owl excitement we've been having lately I've also been looking for those other winter visitors, Short-eared Owls. Following up on reports I was thrilled to see one SEOW on Scofield Rd. near Buck Rd. late Wednesday and today SIX of them on Lake Rd. / Rt-90 near the Long Point Winery. Two of them had nailed prey on the ground and were chowing down. It was nice to see them successfully hunting. As much as they seem oblivious to birders watching them flying, even at very close range, that doesn't apply when they have a kill on the ground. At that point looking at them seems to make them distinctly nervous. I was quick to get the message and move on. Gary -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- Cayugabirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/CayugabirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/cayugabirds-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/Cayugabirds 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/CAYU.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --