Owls in Pinedale
by Pinedale Online!
Original post July 20, 2011 | Updated July 22, 2011
A reader sent in these photos of three owls spotted recently in Pinedale. With our limited birding expertise, we think one is a Great Horned Owl and another might be a Great Grey? Update 7/21/11: Based on reader comments, the concensus appears to be that this is a family of owls, two adults, with a juvenile that hasn't fully developed the ear tufts. Update 7/25/11: Amy Sletton sent in three photos of the same owls.
Reader Comments
Friday, July 22, 2011:
"I took these pictures of the same owls earlier this year. We think it is a family of owls." - Amy Sletten
Thursday, July 21, 2011:
"In reference to your owl photo: The owls are all Great-horned owls. The photo of the two is the female (typically) on the high bar with the young owl on the low bar. The female tends to stick close to the young while the male is a short distance away to help if there is a threat. The young owl has fledged (left) the nest and is capable of flying at this time. The parents will continue to feed the fledgling and teach it to hunt. Owls are not only fun to see but they help keep our rodent population in check and will even tackle a skunk." - Betty Boehm, Birdwatcher
"RE: photos of owls: The owl on the lower part of the pole is a juvenile Great Horned Owl. The tufts (‘horns’) are more defined as the mature. Great web site – I view it daily!" - Kathy Wipfler
" Hey Dawn, All three photos are of a Great Horned Owl. Pretty cool." - Derek Farr
"Both owls on the utility pole are great horned owls. The bottom one just has its ear tufts bent back slightly, but the facial pattern is just like the GHO above him. A great gray has a round facial disk and a white "moustache" below. It would be highly unusual for a great horned to be perched right next to a great gray as well." - Julia Corbett, Bondurant
"I'm no bird expert, but I bet the "tuftless" owl is an immature Great Horned Owl with its parents. See the website: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/great_horned_owl/id - David Kirkpatrick, Labarge
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