The Californian GHO {bubo pacficus} was named, painted, and described by the well known ornithologist John Cassin in 1854.
GHOs are the 2nd heaviest owl in N.A, 2nd to the snowy owl. This subspecies, when paired, is an all-year resident. Females are slightly larger than males. Pairs are monogomous. This raptor is the ultimate predator, w/birds-including waterfowl, small mammals {wild & domesticated} & reptiles on the menu. This bird will prey on rabbits, skunk, any owl except the snowy owl, and road kill.
Mating season is Jan. or Feb. these owls prefer to use nests of other raptors, but also use tree hollows, snags, or man-made platforms. 2-4 eggs laid, incubation 26-35 days. Young fledged in 6th or 7th week. Pairs of owls stay in the same nesting ground for many years, live solitary lives during the year. Lifetime in wild-18 yrs. max. Almost 40 tops in captivity. Humans, of course, the greatet threat. Auto collisions-especially when road kill is involved are common. Electrocution can occur. Enemies of this bird are few-being other GHOs, Northern Goshawks, rarely Falcons, and large Hawks. These raptors live everywhere-desert, forest, grassland, suburbs, and avoid like the snowy owl irruption of last year, the GHOs in the northern hemisphere irrupt mountains. Periodically, into southern latitudes. Cycles of decline of the snowshoe hare and tundra rodents send this raptor south. The tufts or "horns" are feathers and not assoc. w/ hearing they are the largest of horned owls.
Prey is devoured whole, although birds are they are the largest of horned owls. Prey is devoured whole, although birds are dismembered and defeathered. The gripping power of the talons has been measured at 200 ft./lbs. equal to that of the human fist, and is exceeded only by the GE. ok-t/y
Hawk species include the buteos {RTs, Ferruginous, Swainson's} and the Accipiters {Sharp- shinned, Cooper's, Goshawks}. Accipiters are small to med. sized hawks w/ sort rounded wings & long tail giving this raptor an acceptiional advantage over its prey-other birds of varyin sizes. These hawks are found mostly in forest habitats. Buteos-a type of soaring hawk preferring grassland as well as forested habitats bordering on lakes & wetlands-at home in urban & rural settings. Broad wings, wide bodies & short tails give this raptor an ability to soar, seeking out small mammals, reptiles.
Tonight, we'll look at the RSH, a Buteo, no stranger to EC, heard regularly the past few wks {almost exclusively in the morn, but heard a couple times in evening} and seen in a split-sec. capture by peginva. Possibly misidentified by us as an RT juvie-more on that later.
These hawks eat more reptiles and amphibians as a % of their diet than any other north american hawk. An 8 yr. study in S. Ohio has shown that this bird has, through nest proximity, a positive affinity for ponds in contrast to RTs, the RSH soars less, and prefers to perch hidden in trees, waiting for prey. Experts say their flying characteristics are more Accipiter-like-flap-flap-soar, etc. In calif., this sub-species prefers oak woodlands, suburban areas w/ nearby wood lots separated from other RSH subspecies, this bird is thriving & moving inland from coastal calif. areas, with sightings in nevada. Inhabiting the eastern 1/2 of NA, the northern variety tend to migrate south to Mexico way. While those in the south {fla-tex} stay year round.. northern variety are largest in size like RTs.
These birds are monogomous, highly territorial, and use the same nest over and over. Colors vary among species-in fla, RSHs tend to be pale. (Please put up some example pics). In calif. these birds are brighter orange in color. RSHs do not breed until at least 1 yr. old. The female incubates, the male brings food. Incubation-28-33 days {2-4 eggs}. Young leave nest around 60 days useing the nest as a platform for food. Young depend on parents for 17-19 wks. Lifespan up to 5 yrs. in wild. Banding record-19 yrs 11 months.
Identification-the RSH gets its name from a patch of feathers-reddish/brown on the upper wings, giving the bird an appearance of having red "shoulders". Although this part of the wing is actually the hawks' wrist. Calif. sub-species have distinctly richer rufus, or orange, breast & underparts w/ horiz. barring wings {flight feathers} have distinct black and white checkerboarding. The tail is brown/black w/ 3-4 narrow white bars. The RSH can be easily mistaken for an RT juvie when looking at bird in flight, from underneath, note translucent white crescents close to wing-tips. Fan-shaped tail. Thank you.
Good evening-this will be a class spanning about 20 min.-TY ALL for being here
The many osprey sites have made this summer bearable. Thanx to those chatters for bringing those nests to our attention. Ospreys mate for life. as seen at the missoula nest, this bird tolerates humans and can nest close to people. The Chesapeake Bay nesting pop. is the largest know in the world, numbering 2000 prs. antarctiica is the only place ospreys are not found. Feeding exclusively on fish, this raptor has developed several unique adaptations, to this end: 1}Ospreys have a reversible outer toe when perched, it usually has 3 in front, 1 in back. when grasping fish, it's 2 in front, 2 behind. All toes are of equal length. The owl is the only other raptor whose reversible. 2} the scales on the osprey feet are equipped w/ sharp, barbed outer toe is projections {spicules} that enable a firm grasp on a slippery fish. These "backward facing" scale on talons can be a rare problem. The osprey can't swim, and have been to drown if the talons are stuck on too large a fish for take off. 3}This bird can hover, dive into under water {up to 3 ft.). Closable nostrils keep out water during dives. 4} With its narrow wing structure, this bird can shed water from wings fast, facing forward {always} and regain aerodynamic lift fast and rotate the fish.
Young fledge @ about 7-8 wks. but are dependant on parents until the fall migration. In this hemisphere-south america. GHOs, Eagle Owls, BEs, and geese, are enemies of the nest and juvies. The BE is the principal thief of the osprey w/ a fish.
First, lots of rts hanging around so let's review the characteristics of rt juvies. The tail is a dull brown-look for thin tail bands, mottled white shoulder patches, a white chest, and bare yellow legs. Speaking of yellow legs-the western flyway is the north/south route for many species. The 'lesser yellowlegs' seen @ ec pond is one of those travelers w/ breeding grounds in canada. The 'greater yellowlegs' is not closely related, but both enjoy forest, shrubland and marine ecosystems-known to live near water storage systems, and flooded cropland.
EC is in the migratory pattern of this sandpiper, w/ the gulf coast and points south as its winter destination. The greater yellowlegs has a slightly upturned bill, the 'lesser' has a straighter bill. Lessers can be seen @ ec scything {skimming} their bills in the water stirring up prey. A group of yellowlegs are collectively known as an "incontinence" of yellowlegs. A close & confusng family member is the willet.
Thanx to hiker w/ the eagle eyes. OK, the following video should be seen as an intro to what we might see as the Bentonite goes in the pond in the future..feel free to shorten this 9 min. video if you like. I think it's always important to understand what we are seeing, class over at end .
Coverts: g/e everybody-tonight's class will be a 15 or 20 min. review of goings on around ec we'll see lots more of these birds so here again some nomenclature: wider view?
The common buzzard {buteo} is an Old World {europe, asia, africa}description of that genus of hawks which we are all familiar. in the new world {the americas} buzzards are described as a general term for vulture or condor. simple, huh?
Visits to the tree by resident barn owl are hoped for, but may be infrequent and unpredictable. lifespans are short-approx. 2 yrs-if pairs do return to nesting sites. Nesting can occur at an time, but depend on prey availability, March and April should be be busy @ the 'hole' w/ chatters staying up well past their bed time
Barn owls swallow their prey whole, and the resulting expelled pellets of the female are used as part of the nest-the spots on the female are a marker for health-the more spots, the healthier the bird!
GE NEST REVIEW-how lucky we are-an active, successful nest for now. throughout n. ameica, ge's nest primarily on cliffs. for many years now, known populations of predomnantly tree-nesting ge's have been studied {wyoming} along w/ the habitat characteristics. Of 170 nest sites, almost all were in trees w/ the most being in deciduous trees {drop leaves}. Topography was rolling, terrace-like plains w/ scattered hills and buttes. deciduous trees w/nests tended to be taller than trees surrounding the nest tree. Nests tend to be located in the upper 1/3 of the tree for nest stability and ease of access.
Most deciduos tree nests were surrounded by 10 or fewer trees, throughout the early fledgling period, young eagles will spend time perched outside the nest, and will make short flights to nearby perches. (Thanks to rr, this was witnessed by many.) ge's are known for having alternate nest sites {as many as 3}. we'll see around feb. if this still is an active nest-it has been successful. I think the habitat characteristics pretty much jive w/ this site.
coverts1 THE RULES ARE:need self-sustainng pop. w/ genetic management
coverts1 a suitable amt. of protected habitat,effectve techniques for avian reintroduction
coverts1 and post-release monitoring. money helps.
coverts1 the falcon-39 breeding prs. in entire u.s. in 1975-whooing crane, bob-white quail
coverts1 and prairie chicken are a few of the species saved and reintroduced
coverts1 the calif condor will be examined in light of above "rules" as a program example
coverts1 the entire pop. was captured in 1987. breeding has raised the no.from about 2 doz. to 360
coverts1 programs in oregon & idaho are also producing breeding stock & young birds for release
coverts1 in ariz./utah there are about 55 free-flying most around grand canyon n.p
coverts1 these birds are mostly sat. wired and closely watched. egg swaps are common, that is
coverts1 an egg laid in captivity is placed in wild nest cave @ pipping stage, replacing a fertile
coverts1 wild egg removed due to doubts about effective incubation by wild parents. remember--
coverts1 there is on egg and one egg only. these fostering techniques were used to maximize
coverts1 production of young peregrines--known as egg pulling. 1st clutch of eggs were removed
coverts1 from captive pairs, inducing them to lay a 2nd or even 3rd clutch. What then, was done
coverts1 with these young when impossible to foster them to wild adults. or condors fledging in zoos
coverts1 or the golden eagle chick @ Hawk Creek?
coverts1 HACKING-a method of release for birds of prey. The hack box is the method used to give
coverts1 the condor-or falcon-or ge a "soft release" into the wild. in the case of condors, the hack
coverts1 box is made to look like a cave w/room to run & jump, food is covertly dropped
coverts1 off , and after several days, these birds are taken to the release site. they may be fledges or adults raised in captivity. the hack box for falons, by the way, is similar to a natural eyre-gravel covered ledge,etc. w/ a hatch for a food drop. the ge chick at hawk creek will be hacked @ wbs in the same manner-conditioned, same rules for food and
coverts1 sent to a release site at known nesting territories. These Condors are the most closely watched birds in the u.s. each one has a number, several birds in the gr. can. area have had problems w/ lead shot-the Kern wind projects in Cal. remain a lethal reminder of structure interference.
coverts1 falconers of the Elizabethan era hauled a wagon or 'hack' to the top of a hill-put young falcons in it before they could fly. Food delivered to the wagon every day-falcons free to come & go over several weeks-developing tone and experience.
I was going through some old files and found the notes from another one of Coverts classes. I didn't take the time to reverse the order, so as is typical for SS posting, read from the bottom up.
5-31-2012
coverts1 there's no sure-fire answer for some of these quests. thanx for filling in eaglehiker anticipation coverts Pop6 thanks coverts, just the RT fix I needed to hold out for more patticake98 coverts1: that's me up one side and down the other. Patience patticake98 Pop6: oh yeah , I remember that too. Long,long ago coverts1 of us and have shown great patience w/ this site & coming changes. thx. Nanc nanc1 nest 28-38 in in dia. Up to 3 ft tall patticake98 http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n500...nell5-31-12.jpg snacktime today coverts1 postscript-i can't emphasize those chatters who` have been waiting much longer than most Pop6 was wondering if that was true Pop6 coverts1: heard they place in top 1/3 of tree away from main trunk nanc1 The Red-tailed Hawk reaches sexual maturity at two years of age eaglehiker http://metobs.ssec.wisc.edu/aoss/cameras/hawkcam-flash.html madison wis hawks coverts1 pop6-not sure what you mean-nests are built high! coverts1 regions produce different color plumage of rt. coverts1 juvie features. cornell rts show how different coverts1 i assume that time varies between 2-4 yrs, however it takes several molts to lose coverts1 i suppose rts are mature when aduthood reached-4 yrs. inkidoo never heard of albino before meeebreck patticake98: thanks Pop6 those were the three questions... eaglehiker great pics and videos patti. made for great intermission. Pop6 Teach, when can they mate? patticake98 http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n500...gRTH5-31-12.jpg today coverts1 albino photo out of wisc. probably followed from nest for i.d.-pretty huh Pop6 if albino how do we know they are red tailed? sure thing nanc Watchingeggs Patti Thank you for your videos, that albino is beautiful! nanc1 thanks. Pop I hope you took good notes. Please sent me a copy? meeebreck nanc1: thank you for pictures Pop6 : what about nest position in the tree? Pop6 questions posted.... will repost eaglehiker thanks coverts and nanc. even with life interrupted, i learned a lot. Watchingeggs nanc1: Thank you for the pictures they were great! inkidoo covetrs & nanc thankyou so much Watchingeggs coverts1: Thank you, that was educational and fun! meeebreck coverts1: thank you for your time info sure helps patticake98 coverts1: yea!!! That was good! With pics and all!! Thanks coverts and nanc nanc1 TY Coverts coverts1 darn computer froze-thx nanc1 eaglehiker can't wait to see that. coverts1 ok thx-gimme a sec to answer quest.-class over Pop6 coverts1: what about nest position in the tree? coverts1 original-rr has spotted the nest 100 yrds. away coverts1 have done everything experts predict when a nest is lost-they nest w/in 1km. of lstaudt sorry nanc coverts1 north am. the rt and gho are mortal enemies. in conclusion, these resident pr. inkidoo lstaudt: hi there lstaudt all my days of watching eaglehiker lstaudt: nanc1 Please let Coverts finidh lstaudt hi inki, mee, Pop, eaglehiker & patt patticake98 lstaudt: yes I did coverts1 (goslings!). fledging lasts up to 10 weeks. rts 2nd only to ferruginous hwk as largest in lstaudt her word was ingluvies! inkidoo patticake98: I want 1 too lstaudt patti - just beautiful! I'm having a cocktail brb! did you see the 6yrold on spelling bee? meeebreck patticake98: they are georgeous eaglehiker gnite soar34 coverts1 nestlings are altricial-(unable to stand) as opposed to precocial meeebreck Soar34: see ya Pop6 patticake98: that is a beautiful bird30 seconds ago patticake98 Gollly Molly I want an albino RTH now. They are gorgeous! eaglehiker i heard that patti patticake98 Soar34: Good night Coverts must have booted himself LOL meeebreck was wondering if SS froze patticake98 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBK0ZjuGBao albino RTH Soar34 patticake98: ROFL Bye everyone meeebreck patticake98: oh yah Pop6 must be time for recess patticake98 http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=fvwp&v=33DWqRyAAUw coverts has been abducted. Pop6 what happened? Soar34 Don't tell coverts but got to sneak out early. Good job coverts-tx coverts1 fem., w/ male providing food. eggs hatch 28-35 days, over several days, w/ nesting coverts1 (11/2-31/2 lbs.) fem.(25% heavier) wingspan up to 41/2 ft. eggs incubated primarily by Soar34 eaglehiker: Already did, went through the censor, lol. Yippy coverts1 tail w/ the thin black band at tip. ok-some quick facts: rts monogomous, male30 seconds ago eaglehiker can you show that? Pop6 coverts1: if albino how do we know they are red tailed? patticake98 nanc1: ok but you still get points off. Soar34 nanc1: Got the doing the deed pic. Thanks patticake98 we need the doing the deed pic coverts1 depending on region.albinos have been seen for cryin' out loud-all known for that red inkidoo tinyurl worked nanc1 i shorten em to tiny urls for 3 that didn't fit nanc1 http://tinyurl.com/cteztqm coverts1 these hawks vary in plumage-light phase, dark phase, w/ or w/out bellyband, head colorl patticake98 nanc1: I'm not gonna tell y'all those didn't work for me either for fear they work for u nanc1 http://tinyurl.com/7cmb4m8 Pop6 I think the links are too long for SS space Soar34 nanc1: Hey Nanci I can't see that one. inkidoo don't work nanc1 http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb32...212bonding-1.pn Soar34 AdoreThemEagles: Thanks, back at ya. Enjoy din, din. patticake98 AdoreThemEagles: coverts1 copulation lasts 5-10 seconds. nanc1 http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb32...012rtsdointhebi AdoreThemEagles supposed 2 b puttin laundry away!! muhhaaha! il chk back soon! love ya'll! Pop6 meeebreck: over and over and over again.... AdoreThemEagles im missin class! so bummed! hubs is cookin din so im sneakin on 2 send my luv 2 all of EC! inkidoo we saw that coverts1 and spring, w/ increasing freq. towards spring nanc-last 2 pics meeebreck we saw pleanty of that' Soar34 What was the question again??? Dangit i missed it again.... coverts1 mating is a bonding ritual during most mths. of year, but witnessed here, in late winter patticake98 Pop6: I answered meeebreck patticake98: it worked for me coverts1 however singly, in sunlight, has fooled many of us-NOTE-belly band of dark splotches Pop6 patticake98: ding ding, you get a gold star!30 seconds ago patticake98 Mom's chest looks like fudge ripple while Dad's looks like cookies and cream Pop6 PATTI! Prof just called on you! nanc1 http://tinyurl.com/7cmb4m8 Soar34 Kinda scary - patti, just brown nosin' a bit. Need to graduate. coverts1 breast color also helpful-patti98 will be happy to give flavors-lolc Pop6 patticake98: rofl! nanc 3rd one didn't link up30 seconds ago Soar34 patticake98: worked for me, I saw them all. Their pretty good at this. coverts1 makes rt pair easy to distinguish-female 1/4 larger than male. patticake98 minus 5 points off nanc's grade patticake98 nanc1: that one didn't work nanc1 http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb32...012MleftFrt.png coverts1 "the tree" this year was perch point & territory for resident pair. dimorphism in size nanc1 http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb32...212bothRTs-1.pn nanc1 http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb32...012MleftFrt-1.p nanc1 http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb32...712Femaleam.png nanc1 http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb32...11712rtpm-1.png coverts1 soar-noted-nance-next 5 pics in prs. or seperate, please coverts1 legs, and irises that change from yellow to brown w/ age coverts1 dull brown w/ thin bands, mottled white shoulder patches, white chest, bare yellow Soar34 coverts1: Teach, when can they mate? coverts1 juvies take at least 2 yrs. to adulthood,recognized by squared-off tail Soar34 Pop6: Note, I've got the spit balls, shhhhh. patti you'd better duck. Pop6 I think he lost his laser pointer patticake98 coverts1: nanc is pulling my hair. Pop6 patticake98: your ride is here ROFL Pop6 patticake98: don't give him any ideas patticake98 Pop6: I think so. Hope he doesn't start charging us. Pop6 Soar34: shhhhhh, no passing notes either Pop6 patticake98: coverts is getting really good at this Soar34 Pop6: I know Pop, me too coverts1 as many as 7 have been seen at once. bunniem1's capture of an rt juvie in april patticake98 OMG I love visual aids nanc1 http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb32...1612soaring.png coverts1 lots of rts here-(nanc-1st pic please) seen best when they ride thermals patticake98 Pop6: Sorry Soar34 patticake98: Hey patti - ssshhhh, tisk, tisk coverts1 greaty vids & screen shots 3) this place is full of surprises-doors always open Pop6 Soar34: sorry Soar, I was just kidding, don't mind me Soar34 Pop6: s o r r y Pop6 patticake98: your late! patticake98 Present Pop6 Soar34: just kidding, really, we like to ask questions coverts1 on this property. an rt "review" is in order!:learning doesn't stop w/ a fallen nest 2) Pop6 Soar34: shhhhhh, Prof Coverts doesn't like to be interupted ROFL Soar34 Is there class tonight?? Pop6 got it covered nanc coverts1 (some have waited 1 1/2 yrs.)-march or apr.-for an rt clutch of 1-3 eggs in camera view Soar34 HI Pop and Coverts. Long time no see meeebreck Pop6: hey pop eaglehiker hi coverts first time for class so i'll watch a bit Pop6 hey meee, we need the rest of our class nanc1 Pop can u take notes? inkidoo Pop6: hi pop coverts1 if you are a regular visitor to ec, it will be 10 mths. Pop6 I brought you an apple, ROFL no worm I promise Pop6 hey coverts i was early! waiting for you1 meeebreck class is on coverts1 g/e-tonight's class-red tail hawk- will be wordy-bear w/ me-pics courtesy nanc1
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