My last post was about camouflage, but the truth is, sometimes even the best camouflage can fail you, and you become lunch (well, in this case, a dusk-time breakfast for the baby owls inside the nest box). Here one of our screech owl parents is delivering to their owlets what appears to be a walking stick insect.
It always amazes me what incredible nocturnal hunters owls are, but especially screech owls. It’s easy to imagine larger owls hunting bigger active animals, such as rats, rabbits, and even skunks. But screech owls bring home caterpillars, worms, lizards (including diurnal ones that theoretically shouldn’t be quite as active at night but perhaps are), scorpions, centipedes, and apparently stick insects. Sure, I can still imagine some of those being reasonable prey, but caterpillars? Some of them barely move (relatively speaking) and often blend in among bark, foliage, etc.
Owls, I am impressed and quite jealous of your superior eyesight and stealth ability. I shall continue to watch you exhibit your skills for those few minutes at dusk when I can still see you before the darkness takes over and my limited nighttime vision fails me. Oh, to be an owl!
Edit: My friend Justin reminded me that this video of awesomeness exists. For your viewing pleasure, and thanks to its creators:
Great capture, Meredith. How do you get those crisp nighttime pictures? Strobe flash and tripod?
Pam, we’ve been using a tripod and just a regular flash. We try to only be out there for a few minutes to not disturb them too much.
man, i didn’t realize screech owls ate such a varied diet.
Very much so, Katina! I wish they’d used the box with the owl cam so we could record more of the food they bring home.
Video awesomeness, indeed – especially references to Muppets and German fairy tales. Now snorting with laughter at work, thanks!
Hey, we all deserve a good snort now and then!