Feature Article December 4, 2002
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A Majestic Bird
What is the best adjective to describe a Great Gray Owl? This impressive bird is the largest owl you may see in this area. Yes, the Great Horned Owl is large, but the Great Gray is another five inches longer. Unfortunately the Great Gray Owl does not nest in southern Ontario, but inhabits boreal forests and wooded bogs in the far north, or dense, coniferous forests with meadows in mountains farther to the south, so summer is not the time to expect to see one.
Notice I said may see, because it is only during winters when deep snow and severely cold temperatures occur in their home range, that they may be forced to move far south of their normal habitat. Or if the vole population crashes as it sometimes does, they are forced to move to survive. Will this winter bring one or more of these magnificent birds into our area? We will have to wait and see.
Some years there are large movements of the owls outside their normal range in what are called irruptions. Then the owls will be found in areas where they hope to survive because there is food - voles - available for them. But if the vole population is down, and they have difficulty finding the food they need, they may starve.
If this winter brings one or more to our area, watch for them perched on hydro poles along roads and highways, where they will be watching for the mice and voles. You might see them perched on a leafless tree at the edge of a clearing. Like all owls their hearing is extremely good - they can hear a vole a hundred feet away and under more than a foot of snow. If a careless vole under the snow makes a noise, the owl will fly over the hidden animal, hover briefly to get a fix on it, then plunge into the snow. It usually comes up with a meal. The owls long, powerful legs enable it to catch mice or voles eighteen inches below the snow surface.
Once caught, it only takes a couple of gulps, and the animal is swallowed whole. The bones, fur, teeth and claws of the vole are indigestible, so what does the owl do? The muscular part of the birds stomach or gizzard will compress what is undigested into a compact pellet, which the bird will regurgitate before another meal. If you know where an owl roosts, you may find some of these pellets, or conversely, if you find several pellets under a suitable roost, watch for the bird to return to that area. People who study owls will dissect the pellets (all owl species expel pellets) to determine the seasonal feeding habits of the birds.
Owls are protected by law, but still their existence is threatened - by illegal shooting, accidental trapping, pesticide poisoning, or loss or alteration of habitat. In the winter irruptions, some will be killed by cars as they hunt along highways. When forced south, the Great Gray Owl is usually quite approachable, but dont distract them from their hunting or they may go hungry. If food is scarce, an offering of a mouse (either live or dead), may be the difference between life and death for the bird. Hopefully any winter visitors we have will survive and return to their normal habitat to mate and raise a family.
Observations: Dark-eyed Juncos seem to be lingering in larger numbers than usual this autumn. I have twice had a Sharp-shinned Hawk and once a Northern Shrike coming to my feeders and harassing the Blue Jays. Call me with your sightings - Jean Griffin - 268-2518.
