The attribute has stuck, and across disparate cultures and times, the owl has inspired awe and has been integrated into many mythologies. By virtue of its geography, Long Island is home to an abundance and variety of birds, and owls can be counted among its avian census. Owls are more often heard than seen, and their coloring and feather patterns help camouflage them as they roost among the foliage. Whether in a preserve, or park, or even in wooded suburban residential areas, these solitary raptors usually start their search for food mainly small mammals when the twilight begins.
Their hunting prowess starts with their eyes, forward facing and enabling binocular vision that puts their intended target in a three-dimensional field. From their perches in trees or any high post with an unobstructed view of open ground, they will pinpoint their next meal with excellent night vision. It is reported that owls can hear.
Among their virtues are special feathers that enable the birds—some of whom, like the great horned owl, may have wingspans north of five feet—to fly silently and pounce upon skittish animals that would otherwise flee at any sound of danger. Nature also gifted the bird with talons that exert as much as five times the pressure as a human hand grip. Owls, like hawks and eagles fellow members of the order strigiformes swallow their kill whole or in large portions and produce pellets—portions of their prey that they cannot digest.
A good source of information for bird lovers in general is the South Shore Audubon Society, www. They fly down from the Arctic Circle to hang out for the winter. Also, our screech owls and great-horned owls start their nesting season here. However, the privilege of seeing an owl comes with a couple warnings.
I clearly remember my first year on the job as a park ranger in Colorado when I was still in college, eager to do my job and educate the public about wildlife.
The park had an impressive bird list, so all day every day there were birders in and out. While on patrol I spotted a great-horned owl nest with three owlets inside. They are usually most active at night, but also may hunt during the day. They can be seen perched in their nests starting as early as January or February. Your browser does not support iFrames. This time, the response is stronger and quicker. A quick flash of shadow overhead, and the owl lands in a tree on the other side.
After a few more vocalizations from the owl, Giunta scans the trees and switches on the flashlight which catches a little red owl perched low in a tree. After a few seconds, the owl takes flight and perches even closer in another tree. He sits still in the light beam, giving everyone a good look.
He warns that his success rate with this species is far lower than with the screech owl, but he knows of a resident owl that lives in the marshy area not far from the road. He plays the deep hoot of the great horned owl, and all wait in silence. But after several attempts the woods remain silent, proving just how hard this elusive bird can be to lure into sight.
Just to try it out, Giunta switches back to the screech owl call.
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