The Owls Are Back

The great horned owl is the largest owl in the Sonoran Desert,
reaching a height of 2 feet and a tip to tip wingspan of 4-5 feet.

In the Sonoran Desert, our November evenings are nearly perfect for enjoying the night air and observing some of our nocturnal neighbors.  For several nights, we have heard the unmistakable scratch of talons on our chimney, followed by the throaty hoot of the Great Horned Owl. One loud series of hoots is usually followed by a distant call of another owl answering back. We sneak out our back door to catch a glimpse of these magnificent raptors and to listen to their cryptic conversations filling the night air.

November is the time when male great horned owls begin setting up territories in preparation for breeding and nesting. Their calls may be warnings to other owls that they may be in claimed territory. Most great horned owls mate for life, and starting in October, the pair begin their rituals of courtship which include passionate calls back and forth. Adults also make other sounds including whistles, shrieks, barks, coos, hisses and can loudly snap their bills if defending young.

Tonight, open your windows and tune your ears to hear this distinctly autumn sound.  If you live on the edges of wilderness, the owls are probably there.

To hear recorded sounds of the great horned owl:
All About Birds - Owl Sounds

References and Resources
Desert Museum
Nature Blog

Image: Public Domain Pictures