Notes on a Barred Owl Interaction #1

[Alfred Maley]

This morning (Jul 11) I awoke late (6 AM) and found both Barred Owls waiting expectantly in the crabapples by the deck. The male was perched directly over the mini-ratla, the female on a branch 15 feet away. I prepared (defrosted) a couple of ratlings (weaned rats the size of a large mouse) while I ate my own breakfast of coffee and toast.

While doing that, suddenly Mrs. Owl flew in to be next to Mr. Owl on a branch that was also over the mini-ratla. Mr. Owl, whom we shall call MAGA (Males Against Gender Amity) proceeded to spread his wings in a threatening manner and emit a loud chittering call that seemed to mean “Know Your Place Woman”). The female, whom we shall call FAMA (Females Against Male Aggressiveness) conceded defeat and retreated to her previous perch.

At this point I proceeded to place a ratling on the mini-ratla. To my surprise MAGA did nothing, while FAMA flew in, grabbed the ratling and flew 20 feet away to begin eating it. MAGA seemed unperturbed.

The previous day MAGA had not shown up at all and had been heard calling (WCFY) out in the hood. He presumably was after free-range prey (tastes better?) and apparently was successful. Last night, same thing, so he was likely not famished.

At this point I placed a second ratling on the mini-ratla and MAGA sat there staring at it for a long time, but doing nothing. Finally after 5-10 minutes he dropped down, picked up the ratling and flew to a perch 15 feet away. By this time FAMA had swallowed her ratling and proceeded to fly off to the nearby forest, about 15 yards away. MAGA then took off with his ratling for the forest as well, where perhaps they both have their preferred, hidden eating perches. There are Cooper Hawks nearby that might be problematic.

Not more than 15 minutes later, both owls were back to their respective perches to begin the daily ritual of preening and dozing, where they remain at present (9AM) and perhaps will remain for the entire day.

Al Maley

Hampstead NH