Great Horned Owl

[drssg]

We have tons of turkeys, and I never had any problems with them. They are quite shy, and they run away on sight. They crack me up when they're doing their speed trotting.

 

[Alien]

Tawny frogmouth?

Tawny frogmouth - Wikipedia

Yes MossRoad. That's the one.

 

[goeduck]

These are two of my favorite birds to watch fish. Completely different diving styles. The Osprey goes in feet first and the Tern goes in head first.

 

[weldingisfun]

I have Barred Owls around here, they make some of most un-Godly noise I know of........
Barred Owl Calls - YouTube

Thank you for the YouTube link. It led me to another video, Owls of North America and their Calls - YouTube that helped to identify what makes a sound we have been listening to for years, the Eastern Screech Owl.

 

[MossRoad]

Yes MossRoad. That's the one.

Thanks. I've seen them at several zoos. Quite a unique looking bird.

 

[Western]

Owl pellets! :licking:

One big reason folks here make sure they have closed up their deer blinds when leaving, you would not believe the carnage in a small box after owls have raised some brood. Not sure which is worse, the smell or the visual!

I know GHO and Barred owls, both large birds, overlap in much of their range, but a barred owl will go to his far end range when a GHO is in the area, even the barred doesn't want to tangle with the big hooter.

 

[lilranch2001]

I love big hooters!

 

[2LaneCruzer]

We have tons of turkeys, and I never had any problems with them. They are quite shy, and they run away on sight. They crack me up when they're doing their speed trotting.

I grew up in Oklahoma, and I never saw a wild turkey until the state game department began stocking them back, like in the 70's or 80's. They are so numerous now, they are becoming a pest. I counted 64 in my front yard one morning. That's pretty rare, though, it's usually only 6 or 8 at a time. The dogs keep them out of the yard; they usually fly to the trees for refuge. Cats aren't so lucky though, I saw them attack a cat that had been stalking them, much to the surprise of the cat.

 

[lilranch2001]

I have seen wild turkeys here since I moved here in the 80's but last summer I was mowing along a creek and I scared up a momma with 7 of her poults following her, they were so funny chasing momma!
Later in the summer I saw them several times.
Early fall came and I was hearing a banging on my walk out basement door and wondered who would be at that door.
I went out the side door and walked around and looked down, and there were 7 turkeys one of which was pecking at the reflection of itself in the door.

When they saw me they took off running. It happened 4 times again (that I heard) later, one of which I got a picture of as they ran away. I tried to post the pic but it was not of high enough quality to see the details.

Several times in the fall I also heard a rustling in the tree canopy of my woods and saw the turkeys flying from tree top to tree top

 

[sld]

I used to get attacked by Mississippi Kites on a golf course I used to play. They would swoop down and peck you on the head. Even with a cap on it would hurt.