Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
function of helping the owl flit soundlessly through the air and insulating it against the bitter winds of
winter.
Mice and voles (so-called meadow mice) constitute the main part of the barred owl's diet. It also
preys on frogs, large insects, and occasionally squirrels and small birds. Although barred owls might
occasionally seize prey as large as a rabbit, small creatures are by far their favored food.
In normal times, at my home we see barred owls only occasionally, mostly while out in the woods.
Whenever the snow becomes very deep, however, we're apt to have a barred owl frequent the vicinity
of our bird feeders, often in the daytime. With truly astonishing originality we've christened this visitor,
who has taught us much about the barred's preference in food, Shakespeare. Actually, we have no idea
whether we've been seeing one Shakespeare or several Shakespeares, since it's rather difficult to tell
one barred owl from another, especially from year to year.
As previously noted, our bird feeders are utilized by many red squirrels in the winter. Barred owls
are known to kill squirrels, and a naturalist friend once reported seeing a barred owl make off with a red
squirrel in the woods. Yet in all the time we've watched Shakespeare, he/she has only made one serious
attempt and another rather halfhearted one at a red squirrel. During the same period, not a single attack
has been made on any of the many birds regularly using our feeders.
The one serious attack on a red squirrel came after I had been watching Shakespeare for at least a
half hour. The owl was plainly visible, sitting on a low branch no more than twenty yards from the
feeder, yet neither birds nor squirrels paid it the slightest attention.
One rather reckless red squirrel, in particular, seemed to be tempting fate by running back and forth
in the direction of the owl, seeking sunflower seeds that birds or wind had dispersed hither and yon.
Often the owl swiveled its head to gaze at the squirrel, yet made no move to attack. At last, though, as
if goaded beyond endurance by the audacity of this particular squirrel, Shakespeare launched himself
without warning into a long, swooping dive.
Alas for the owl's plans, Big Red wasn't quite as foolish as he appeared to be. We had stuck our
Christmas tree in the snow between the two feeders; the squirrel raced madly toward it and, just as
Shakespeare seemed about to strike, leaped frantically into the protective branches, just inches ahead
of the owl's reaching talons.
Shakespeare's other attempt at a red squirrel was far less dramatic. Again, it occurred after what
might be considered extreme provocation, but this attack seemed leisurely, merely
pro forma,
as if to
say, “I'm here, and don't forget it!”
No doubt a barred owl's decision to try for birds and red squirrels depends a great deal on how fam-
ished it is. After all, any predator, if sufficiently hungry, will go after prey that may in better times be
well down its preferred list of species.
If such things as birds and squirrels aren't the most tempting of morsels to a barred owl, mice are in
a different league entirely. Based on two personal experiences, I would say that owls regard mice and
