Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Introducing the Barred Owl

This week, let's learn about another owl species: the Barred Owl.  


The Barred Owl is medium sized with  brown and white striped plumage, large brown round eyes, a yellowish bill, and a short rounded tail. It has a round head with no ear tufts.  Take a look:

 
      
This fellow is commonly found all through the eastern United States, and through southern Canada. Although it lives mostly in dense forest and near bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and swamps, it is also sometimes seen around populated areas, such as parks. This is one species of owl that you can see during the day, thought mostly at dusk, or on cloudy days. Also, they are  known to be attracted to campfires and lanterns where large insects can be readily seen.

The Barred Owl's diet is similar to other owls; consisting mostly of small mammals, with the occasional reptiles, fish, and invertebrates (snails, scorpions, etc.). 

Their only natural predator is the Great Horned Owl.

The Barred owl is well known for its series of hoots that sounds like it's saying "Who, cooks, for you?  Who cooks for you?".    Listen: Barred Owl Call 

However, like other owls, they have a large range of sounds, such as shrieks, grumbles, and squeaks. 

The Barred Owl is a truly an interesting fellow and I am happy to report that this is one owl species that, at present, appears to be doing well in numbers. 

Barred Owl Themed Products: 


Friday, August 8, 2014

Owl and the Medicine Men


    

In many American Indian tribes, the owl was, and still is, strongly associated with the medicine man, or Shaman.  The Lakota medicine men are said to obtain their power from clear, sharp dreams, like the sight of the owl.  Ojibwa medicine man even kept a stuffed owl near them while they worked their medicine so that they could 'see'.

Creek medicine men used an owl feather as a symbol of their calling, whereas, the Ponca medicine men used owl feathers in their medicine practice.

According to the Pawnee tribe:
  "The owl is the leading medicine-man among the birds."

In dedication to all the hard working and self sacrificing doctors, nurses, and everyone else in the health industry who are always there when we need them.