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From: quezon@dtrc.dt.navy.mil (Quezon)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: Bird feeding Station
Message-ID: <7162@oasys.dt.navy.mil>
Date: 18 Apr 91 15:15:08 GMT
References: <1991Apr15.225115.3695@jpl-devvax.jpl.nasa.gov> <1991Apr18.005951.4489@jato.jpl.nasa.gov>
Sender: news@oasys.dt.navy.mil
Reply-To: quezon@dtrc.dt.navy.mil (Antonio Quezon)
Organization: David Taylor Research Center, Bethesda, MD
Lines: 22



Owls do take birds.  While most owls are primarily nocturnal,
they are occasionally out on the prowl in the early twilight
or late dawn hours.  This brings them in contact with birds
unlucky enough to be out a little late or a little early.

Not only do owls take song birds during the dusk or dawn hours,
but they will attack and consume other owls they may encounter
at night.  For example, a Great Horned Owl or Barred Owl will
take any owl smaller than himself, such as Screech and/or Saw
Whet Owls.

Great Horned Owls are known to have devastated Peregrine Falcon
hacking towers.  If the owls find a hacking tower, they will
return night after night to attack and eat the Peregrines until
there are no falcons left or the tower is relocated.  Great
Horned Owls can be a significant cause of failed Peregrine
reintroductions.

A.J. Quezon
David Taylor Research Center