Does Anyone Know Anything about Owls?

[Red Devil]

we are having severe weather... 4 foot snow drifts and wind and freezing temps in the teens.. i opened my front door this am and i saw this owl sitting there.. i was so excited ..as i have never seen an owl in real life.. only pics.. he was perched under the porch .. now after 7 hours he is still there.. and i looked him up.. and from what i could find out he is a great horned owl..but according to the discription they are 2 ft with a wing span of 5 feet when they are adults.. this one must be a baby.. ?? I tried to find out more info by writing to the wildlife rescue but they have not got back to me yet.. i would like to know what i could leave out side that he would be interested in eating.. i know they eat mice etc.. but do you think if i defrosted chicken livers it would be something he might eat.. thanks for any help.. because now i am thinking he might be in trouble....View attachment 448216

View attachment 448217here is his pic

 

[Mike D]

Not sure what you can do. How long has he been there? If it hasn't been long I wouldn't worry about it. He might just be waiting for the weather to clear. Wait until the storm stops and see what he does. Chances are he will be fine

 

[ceeej31]

i wouldn't worry about him just yet
btw, it looks more like an eastern screech owl to me

 

[kdrun76]

A big adult will run 2', but 18" is a lot closer to normal. That is a Great Horned Owl.

Chances are he is cold and enjoying a safe perch.

I wouldn't mess with him. Its not like you can offer him a cup of cocoa anyhow.

A nice road kill squirrell thawed out might catch his attention, but only after dark and if there are very few noises. IF he eats it... he will pick it up and take it off into the woods to eat it. He won't stay there on your porch to eat it.

That is really really cool. Enjoy it while it lasts.

 

[wonword]

Looks like a young one for sure, great horned owls around here are huge and a bit darker, but I know there is a lighter color morph great horned like that one from colder regions (maybe came down from Canada). I wouldnt put out chicken livers, that may do more harm than good, plus I doubt it would take food that is not live.

 

[Mule]

I rescued a young screech owl awhile back...fed it prekilled mice. It would take it every few days or so. They are gluttons, and will overeat to the point to where they will no longer be able to fly. They will become quite tame, excellent pet IMO. I overfed mine, and it would waddle around the house following me, trying to get a treat.

 

[snakeguy101]

no, that is definitely a screech owl. I used to work with them, they are very cool. Captive ones usually accept mice but I don't think that a wild one would. If you try to move it, I would use a towel to grasp it but be careful of a few things because they are very fragile, they like to scratch (and it HURTS) and their poop is the worst smelling poop that I have come across. but if it is outside underneath your porch, I would not worry much unless it stays there for more than a few days. It might be waiting for night to go hunting.

these guys come in 3 different colors and they also have the "horns" similar to a great horned owl so they are sometimes tricky to identify but I am 100% sure:

http://mayo.personcounty.net/Bird Folder/Birds of prey pictures/Eastern Screech owl.jpg

 

[gomezladdams]

It looks pretty safe up there.Appears to be alert and aware of you taking its picture.Probably just taking a breather.
If the weather is good now you could try approaching it to see if it flies away.If you can get close without it flying away Id get an animal rescue service.Be careful though.If its in good condition it could hurt you.

 

[Mule]

no, that is definitely a screech owl. I used to work with them, they are very cool. Captive ones usually accept mice but I don't think that a wild one would. If you try to move it, I would use a towel to grasp it but be careful of a few things because they are very fragile, they like to scratch (and it HURTS) and their poop is the worst smelling poop that I have come across. but if it is outside underneath your porch, I would not worry much unless it stays there for more than a few days. It might be waiting for night to go hunting.

these guys come in 3 different colors and they also have the "horns" similar to a great horned owl so they are sometimes tricky to identify but I am 100% sure:

http://mayo.personcounty.net/Bird Folder/Birds of prey pictures/Eastern Screech owl.jpg

I didn't want to say anything...but I think you're right. Looks like a darker morph of the one I kept.

 

[Red Devil]

I rescued a young screech owl awhile back...fed it prekilled mice. It would take it every few days or so. They are gluttons, and will overeat to the point to where they will no longer be able to fly. They will become quite tame, excellent pet IMO. I overfed mine, and it would waddle around the house following me, trying to get a treat.

What happened to him... hope it is a good ending