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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Perch-and-pounce

Can you find the animal in the picture below?


Here's a big hint:

 
This Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) was perched on a Wax Myrtle branch near Campbell Cove on 8 September 2012.

Note the large size, the bright yellow eyes (see below), and the ear-tufts which give this owl its name.  The ear-tufts looked a little small to me, and the throat wasn't bright white, making me wonder if this was a younger bird.


Great Horned Owls are "perch-and-pounce" predators.  They often sight their prey from a perch.  This owl was sitting quietly, but looked around and spent a lot of time staring down towards the ground. 


Watch out below!


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