1:08. In the United States they are found in small pockets in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Nevada. MyBackyardBirding 205,511 views. Here you’ll find facts, common questions, and general info about all kinds of wildlife and exotic pets. This article contains affiliate links. Please do not share my images on Pinterest, Tumblr or other image sharing sites. Their size is mostly an illusion, though. I hope it is an omen. They can continue harassing the owl for hours. I've seen a few Rough-legged Hawks but have never been…, Gnatcatchers, Kinglets, Dippers and Others, Mockingbirds, Thrashers, Catbirds, Starlings and Pipits, Waxwings, Longspurs and Silky-Flycatchers. The Mexican Spotted Owl is one of 3 subspecies of spotted owls, one of the largest owls in North America, and one of the 11 owls found in Utah. Over half of these are found in the U.S. with about 40% in Mexico. When this owl took off I thanked it and figured I might be done with owls for the day. Northern Saw-whet Owls are found year-round in southern and eastern Utah. It’s one of the most common owls in North America and can be found in nearly any semi-open areas between the Arctic and the tropics. Western screech owl. love the background of the haunting sky in the flight photos, sure enhances the owl. Their name both is and isn’t a misnomer – their ear tufts, like the Great Horned Owl’s, are so short that they’re often invisible. That shot with the overhead wings is stunning! The Spotted Owl, including this subspecies, has a declining population due to habitat loss with an estimated global breeding population of just 15,000 owls. Muchly. So, I took more photos of the owl on the speed limit sign and even caught a bug in flight next to the owl in one frame. Here's how it played out for Weston Smith.Here's a side-by-side comparison of the two birds. Thanks to their long ear tufts that give them their name, they always seem to be wearing a surprised expression. Male Short-eared Owl in flight over a sagebrush sea – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/5000, ISO 800, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited, Short-eared Owl adult banking in flight – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 800, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited. Side lit Short-eared Owl – Small in frame – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited. The second Short-eared Owl I was able to photograph happened to be perched in good light with sagebrush in the background. WildlifeInformer.com is a site that’s all about wild animals and nature. Feathered feet and toes provide protection from the arctic cold. Despite its name, it doesn’t really “screech”; instead it’s more likely an accelerating series of hollow toots. Adult Short-eared Owl perched in front of a sagebrush sea – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited. I’m certain there are some bird photographers that wouldn’t stop to take the photo above because the sign represents the “hand of man” but I like this image. They favor dense coniferous forests of fir and pine that also offer ample open areas for hunting. Later on I saw another Short-eared Owl perched on top of a 40 mph speed limit sign. Amazing! Now I share my knowledge here on this site with you! When in Utah, the best places to find this unique looking owl are open fields and grasslands, and more and more, around airport landing strips, waiting for planes to kick up prey for easy pickings. Unlike most owls where the female is larger than the male, both sexes of this species are the same size with little sexual dimorphism present. Unlike most owls, they hunt during the day, choosing to sit quietly and surprise their prey. This owl is highly migratory, wintering in Mexico and Central America, but because of its size and migratory habits, little else is known about its activities when there. Side lit Short-eared Owl – Small in frame – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited. These are all fantastic shots and I’m so glad you’ve found some Shorties this season. Scientific name: Asio otus Length: 13.8-15.8 in Weight: 7.8-15.3 oz Wingspan: 35.4-39.4 ineval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'wildlifeinformer_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_19',121,'0','0'])); The Long-eared Owl can be found year-round throughout the state of Utah, usually roosting in dense foliage where their camouflage makes them difficult to find. They’ve adapted well to human presence, and can often be found in urban parks and residential areas as well as the wilder places. When the male Short-eared Owl lifted off from the 40 mph speed limit sign I was ready for it and happy to take a few flight shots. Out of the 20 species of owls found in North America, 11 of those are found in the state of Utah. It spends the majority of its time foraging for insects near the tops of massive pine and fir trees. The Northern Pygmy-owl resides in the mountainous regions of Utah in the north and south of the state. Utah Barn Owl Nest box 2 - Duration: 1:08. caleb stroh 31,049 views. Owls are primarily nocturnal birds of prey, with a few exceptions, that possess large forward-facing eyes, a hooked beak, and typically a loud call. At the risk of sounding like a Millennial….”OMG!” Those are fabulous shots! Some of the Birds I love at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Wild and Wonderful – Antelope Island State Park – The Scenery, Wild and Wonderful – Antelope Island State Park – The Birds, Wild and Wonderful – Antelope Island State Park – The Wildlife, Journey to Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge – an Oasis in the West Desert of Utah, Photographing Three Short-eared Owls In Northern Utah, Photographing An Immature Ferruginous Hawk Hunting For Breakfast, Focusing On Adult Male Rough-legged Hawks, Adult American Robin Gobbling Down A Crabapple – Thanksgiving 2020, Hen And Drake American Wigeon Pair Close To Home, Autumn American Bison Bull And The Great Salt Lake, Adult Common Raven On A Sign At Bear River MBR. 2:32 . Those 3 subspecies are the Mexican Spotted Owl, California Spotted Owl, and the Northern Spotted Owl. Scientific name: Length: 18.5-18.9 in Weight: 17.6-24.7 oz Wingspan: 39.8 in. They have a distinctive pair of spots on the back of their neck though – this is believed to give the illusion to attackers and mobbers that the owl still has eyes on them. OWL is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of raptors (eagles, falcons, hawks, osprey, owls, and vultures). This bird soars silently over grasslands on broad, rounded wings and is most active around dawn and dusk. Head on look from an adult Short-eared Owl on a old metal post – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited. They’re most well known for being silent flyers with fantastic hearing and sight. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you up to date on any changes to our operation. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'wildlifeinformer_com-banner-1','ezslot_6',110,'0','0']));Scientific name: Bubo virginianus Length: 18.1-24.8 in Weight: 32.1-88.2 oz Wingspan: 39.8-57.1 in. OWL takes the health and well being of our guests, staff, volunteers, and the animals very seriously. The Flammulated Owl is a tiny, reddish owl found within a vertical stretch of forests with large trees through the center of Utah, extending north to south, during the breeding season in the summer. Great Gray Owls are larger owls, bigger than even Great Horned Owls. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Their recent decline in numbers can be directly tied to the decline of prairie dogs and ground squirrels in the area and human alteration of their habitat. They use their incredibly acute hearing to track and hunt small mammals and other birds. The first Short-eared Owl I spotted and could photograph was off in the distance, side lit and on the wrong side of the road but I really like how my photos of it turned out.