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02/27/2019 06:00 AMMother nature gives and she takes away, cruel and amorous. This year she has smiled upon Connecticut’s barred owl population, providing it with optimum weather conditions last spring, during owlet rearing time, and this winter, which has resulted in an upsurge in population for Connecticut’s most abundant owl.
Speculating that the warm, wet spring and relatively snowless winter has meant that there was more, easily accessible prey for the owls, many are attributing the population eruption to this fact alone. However, Christine Cummings, president and co-founder of A Place Called Hope (APCH), the non-profit birds of prey rehabilitation center in Killingworth, believes that it’s not only the idyllic weather conditions that have caused this year’s barred owl upswing, but also the species’ ability to adapt.
“They have been increasing their hunting areas, which used to mostly be centered around wetland areas, to now include locations that are closer to roadways,” explained Cummings. “And, some are hunting at earlier times, not just at night.”
This is good, right?
With some species on the brink of extinction, a species that’s actually thriving is good news, but this also means that because these owls are so abundant now, they are also getting injured a lot more, especially by cars.
This year alone, during the month of January, 23 of the total 30 injured birds that landed at APCH were barred owls.
“Unfortunately, right now we humans are the ones who are hurting them the most,” said Cummings, suggesting that motorists keep a closer eye out for low fliers.
“They don’t multi-task well, so when they see road kill, which is like fast food to them, they just swoop down and get to business eating, they are not looking both ways to see if there is a car coming.”
Most of the barred owls that APCH has gotten calls about have been in the road still alive or on the side of the road stunned and dazed, and a few who were injured because they flew into glass.
Feeding primarily on small mammals, amphibians, and invertebrates, barred owls also eat large insects. According to Rose Crisci of Blue Moon Raptors Rehabilitation Center in Guilford, barred owls are often attracted to back porches, when lights are left on at night, or campfires, where insects are easy pickings. Like Cummings, Crisci said she has a seen a definite increase in the barred owl population and subsequently more injuries.
“It’s unfortunate because these birds are so amazing. They are beautiful, magnificent creatures, but they were not meant to deal with humans and cars,” said Crisci.
The barred owl is evolved to live and thrive in its natural habitat. Equipped with thick dense feathers that look as though they have been intricately painted with dark horizontal lines or bars (which is where they get their name from) specifically to fade into the backdrop of the bark of just about every tree, these round-headed, dark-eyed owls have no ear tufts, bright yellow beaks, and intensely strong talons and weigh in just under two pounds.
They usually measure about 18 inches high (with the females a little larger than the males), and they have an approximate wingspan of four feet. They mate for life, however, if a mate dies, they will try to find a new one. They lay between three to four eggs each year and nest in hollowed out tree crevices. The eggs take about a month to hatch and both parents care for the young, who begin to fly when they are about three to fourth months old.
An unusual trait of this ninja-like bird is the fact that if it falls out of its nest while it is young, it can get back up the tree using its strong beak and large talons to climb sideways to safety.
The most vocal of Connecticut’s owls, the barred owl courting season is February and March. This is when most people living near forests or wetlands hear their telltale, deep baritone hoot, which many say sounds as if they are asking, ‘Who cooks for you?’
Although small, these owls are proficient hunters that have been known to occasionally feed on full grown cats, Cummings said.
“They can’t fly away with the cats, because they are not strong enough, but their talons are such powerful weapons, they can get the cats on the ground and feed on them there,” she said.
Cummings added, “I would say the best way for people to help us keep these birds safe from harm is to be prepared. I suggest that before they find themselves in an emergency situation, with an injured bird on the side of the road, or found out on a hike, look up the numbers of wildlife rehabilitators in their own areas and pre-program the numbers into their phones, so that if something happens, they are ready to respond accordingly.”
Cummings cautioned that picking up an injured barred owl can be dangerous, because although it may allow you to handle it, if it’s stunned and comes out of it while you are holding it, it may attack with its very sharp talons.
According to the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) website, “A young hawk or owl found on the ground may not be orphaned. Do not take it to a rehabilitator unless the parents have not been seen for more than 24 hours. Hawks and owls are capable of inflicting a very nasty wound with their sharp talons or in some cases their beak. Do not try to handle one of these birds unless you are wearing heavy gloves and/or have help from someone with experience.”
Individuals interested in helping with the rehabilitation efforts of birds of prey can volunteer with APCH, which offers a rescue transport seminar to teach the public some of the necessary skills required to rescue distressed, injured, orphaned or ill, dangerous birds safely and how to transport them correctly. Class dates and times can be found at the APCH website at www.aplacecalledhoperaptors.com.
Some important numbers to keep on hand include DEEP at 860-424-3333, Christine Cumming at 203-804-3453, APCH Vice President Grace Krick at 860-575-9791 and Rose Crisci at 203-824-4124.
APCH has an upcoming program on Saturday, March 2, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Pet Shield Veterinary Hospital, 2033 Foxon Road, North Branford. This is a pre-registered event; contact Katrina Stewart at 203-481-1492 to sign up. APCH is also available for school visits and private events; for more information, visit www.aplacecalledhoperaptors.com.