Irish Owls

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner and this is a good time to talk about owls. No, owls are not green and they won't lead you to a pot of gold, but they can lead you to the country - Ireland.
           
There are three owl species that call Ireland their home, so we'll call them the Irish owls.

The most common species is the Long Eared Owl. The name derives from its long ear tufts on top of it's head. They raise these tufts when on alert, and lower them when relaxed. They have spotted brown and black feathers and their eyes are bright orange. They live near open grasslands in woodlands and hunt small animals. They use abandoned crow and other birds nests and lay between 3 to 5 eggs anywhere from late March to the end of August. 

The Long Eared Owl is not currently considered as threatened, however, there are concerns that this may happen in the near future with the continual loss of habitats, use of pesticides, and  other environmental factors.

USA, Colorado. Portrait of long-eared owl Posters by danitadelimont

Another well known owl species in Ireland is the Barn Owl. This species is the most threatened of the Irish owls. However, due to recent aggressive conservation efforts, these bird's numbers are on the rise (See posting 'Owls in the News' here).  

The Barn Owl inhabits mostly farmland and low lying areas. They are well known for nesting in old barns and other man made structures, and, therefore, are closer to proximity with humans. As such, these birds are very willing to nest in boxes made especially for them. 

The Barn Owl have light or tan plumage with a white underbelly. They have no ear tufts and have a round head with a heart shaped face.  These birds have longer legs then other owl species. 

One special characteristic of the Barn Owl is that it mates for life. The female lay 4 to 7 eggs between

April and May. They hunt not only small mammals, but other birds and even insects. 

White Barn Owl Poster by WildlifeAnimals

Then there is the Short-Eared Owl. This owl species is not as common as the Long-Eared Owl.  It is more widely seen in winter where they can be sighted in grasslands, marshes, and dunes. In the summer, they prefer to frequent the heather moorlands. The Short-Eared Owl resembles much like its cousin, the Long-Eared Owl, except for the smaller ear tufts.

The Short-Eared Owl breed mainly in Ireland's Sileve Bloom mountain area and nest on the ground. Unlike the other two Irish owls, this bird hunts mostly during the day. Their prey are the usual mice, small mammals, as well as the occasional birds and insects.

Short-eared Owl on fence post Print by danitadelimont

And since St. Patrick's Day is near, here are some fun owl themed St. Patrick's Day products:

St. Patrick's Day Irish Girl Owl T Shirt by Hoot_Hoot
Design your own custom photo t-shirts online at zazzle.com

St. Patrick's Owl Card by i_17bingo
Shop for more greeting cards online at Zazzle.

St. Patrick's Day Owl Party Plate by cutencomfy
Browse St patricks day Plates online at Zazzle.com

St. Patrick’s Day Owl Tee Shirt by Punk_Your_Party
View other St patricks day T-Shirts at Zazzle.com

St. Patrick's Day Owls Cloth Napkin by gifts4thehome
See another Napkin at Zazzle

Happy St. Patrick's Day Owl Cake Picks by DesignsbyDonnaSiggy
Shop for more Cake Toppers online at Zazzle

leprechowl for St. Patty's Day Party Favor Box by just_owls
Browse additional wedding favor boxes at zazzle.com

Happy St. Patrick Day's Green Owl! Baby Creeper by DesignsbyDonnaSiggy
Print your own t-shirt at Zazzle.

Irish Owl Pinback Button by graphicdesign
Make buttons online at Zazzle

Owls Making the News

   The Snowy Owl invasion is just about over and now other owl species are making headlines.

   The first news headline from the U.K is a happy one. Apparently, the numbers of Barn Owls in the United Kingdom the past few years have been drastically declining. In response to that, the Essex Wildlife Trust started a conservation program in 2013 with volunteers helping to restore the hunting and habitat of the birds.  The program consisted of installing nest boxes in trees, barns, and other buildings. As a result, 2014 saw a large "baby boom" of the these owls. It is hoped that as more landowners and corporations join in the force, the Barn Owl population will continue to grow in 2015.  I say, hoot ray! for the UK.

   Now,  for the second headline. In a Salem, Oregon state park, a Barred Owl is attacking joggers. Yes, it is attacking unsuspected early morning and late night joggers, and even, in at least one incidence, stealing their hat! No one was seriously hurt, though one man was reported to say that the owl hit him so hard a couple of times, he though he was going be. It has become such a frequent occurrence that the park officials had decided to put up warning signs.

   So what's up this Barred Owl? According to bird authorities, it is currently the mating and breeding season and this owl species is known to become aggressive at this time. In other words, the owl thinks it's defending its territory from human threat. The breeding season typically ends in late spring. In the meanwhile, joggers are advised to wear helmets.

 Other Barn and Barred Owls making 'headlines' at Zazzle.com: 

Handsome Barn Owl Mug by PattiJAdkins
Create unique photo mugs online at zazzle.com

Barred Owl Pillow by Lois Bryan by LoisBryan
Check out Owl Pillows online at zazzle

Watercolor Barn Owl Security Business Business Card by countrymousestudio
Browse through more business cards templates on zazzle.

Barred owl 4 card by nationalwildlife
Check out other note cards online at Zazzle.

barn owl t-shirt by dimdidesign
Browse Barn T-Shirts

Wild Barred Owl Photograph iPhone 5 Case by pjwuebker
Look at iPhone 5s cases online at Zazzle

Cute little Barn Owl fantasy Throw by laureenr
Browse Owl Throw Blankets online at Zazzle.com

Barred Owl Mesh Hats by kphotos
Make trucker hat on zazzle.

TCWC - Barn Owl Vintage Jigsaw Puzzle by PAWSPartners
Look at another Jigsaw Puzzle

Audubon Plate 46 Barred Owl Tag For Bags by AudubonPrints
Shop for more Luggage Tags online at zazzle.com

Owl Be Funny

You got to admit it, owls can be so funny! Being that their eyes are stationary and they can't lower them, roll them, or raise their eyebrows, I take it that they just need to use extra effort to convey their mood, which, to us, makes for exaggerated and comical expressions. Take a look at this laughing owl and see if he doesn't bring a giggle or two out of  you. 

And take a look at these featured funny owl expression products: 

Australian Barking Owl Portrait Postcards by cbphoto
Make postcards from photos online at zazzle.com

Bubo bubo sibiricus mousepad by EMangl
Shop for Siberian eagle owl Mousepads online at Zazzle.com

Shaggy owl big eyed wildlife tee shirts by OwlJayO
Browse Owl T-Shirts

Funny,Owl, Owly Attitude Coffee Mug by countrymousestudio
Create photo coffee mugs from Zazzle.

Grumpy Owl Tie Neck Tie by BadEnglishCat
View more Grumpy Ties

Funny Sleepy Owl Quote Shirt by ShabzDesigns
Browse more Funny owl quote T-Shirts at Zazzle

Barn Owl for Kids! Tshirts by Signe_Nordin
Make custom t shirt designs online at Zazzle.

Night owl case for kindle by igorsin
Shop for more cases for Kindle 3 at zazzle.com

Owl Always Love You

You probably heard the catch phrase "Owl always love you", especially around Valentine's Day, but did you know that this phrase is close to the truth when it comes to owls?.  Some owl species do mate for life.  The most well known are: Barn Owl, Eastern Screech Owl, Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, and Spotted Owl. 

You can say these monogamy owl species really do have families, being that they are affectionate and look out for each other, as well as, share in the daily tasks, such as babysitting and feeding their young.  

Some, like the Barn Owl, are so emotionally attached to their mate that when the mate dies, they themselves soon die of a broken heart. They literally mope and stop eating. 

On the other hand, other owl species, like the Snowy Owl, have an roving eye and  have different mates each season. The male Snowy Owl may even mate with two females simultaneously, with the nests close by to each other.  Now how do you like that! 

As for the Tawny Owl... This owl is mostly monogamous, but some males prefer two.  Ummm, sounds familiar, uh? 

Well, with Valentine's Day coming up, lets just think about the faithful ones and check out these unique and awesome owl valentine gifts. You just might find the perfect one for that special someone. 

owl always love you coffee mug by Funcards

Be my valentine owls greeting cards by IronicOwl

Pink Owl Couple with Pun T-shirts by DandyDoodads

Owl with Mustache Valentine's Day Cards by cutencomfy

Owls in Love - Valentine's Day Candy Tin by SharonKMoore

Valentine's Day Owl 45 Piece Assorted Chocolate Box by Country1969

Owls Happy Valentines Day Candy Tins by valentines_store

Owl Love III Keepsake Box by thedustyphoenix

Elegant modern cute owl yelow blue / add name lovers mugs by Makidzona

They're Back! Snowy Owls

     Yes, snowy owls are back! These beautiful white birds who used to travel South from the Arctic only every few years are again being sighted south for about the fourth year in a row, and it appears that we will be seeing even more of them this year. Experts are not sure why the number increased this year and whether or not it's connected to climate change.  Snowy owls breed and hunt in the Arctic where their favorite food of lemmings, rabbit, fish, and rodents are usually plentiful.

     All we know is that people love them and want to take a peek at them, while photographers scramble to get good shots of them. I, for one, would love that opportunity. However, we must keep in mind that these actions can pose a threat to them. These special birds are easily stressed out and any harassment, regardless of the good intent or not, can weaken them by making them spend more energy they may have in the attempt to get away. Remember, they have traveled a long way from home. It can also cause their deaths if they are already weaken from starvation, or if causes them to miss out on their one potential meal.
As such, it's best that we just admire and adore them from a distant and wish them well. 

Learn more about this elusive owl: 

Snowy Owl Themed Gifts:

Snowy Owl Poster by churchto12

Snowy Owl iPhone 5 Cover by DRCrafts

got lemmings? tshirts by birdorable

FOCUS Notebook Journal whatever-book Owl by FinchHattonHall

Arctic Eyes Pillows by tigressdragon

Little Snowy Owls Mugs by NezumiWorld

The Snowy Owl Embroidered Hat by PeteMcGXD

Snowy owl staring tag for bags by IronicOwl

I Love Snowy Owls Pull Over Sweatshirts by tshirtshirts

Keep calm and Love Snowy Owls Tshirt by AnimalShirts

Snowy Owl Crescent Moon Night Forest Art Floor Mat by AnimalsByAlicia

Snowy Owl - White Bird Turquoise Blue Sky Clock by DianeClancy

Cute Baby Snowy Owl Chic on Pink Bib by crazycreatures

Special Owl Christmas Edition

It's Christmas time! The biggest holiday of the year; for most humans, that is. Owls, I'm afraid, just don't care. To them, its just another day of living.  But, that's ok. Let's just wish them a safe season with plenty of food.  

As a Christmas gift to you, my human readers, I have listed what I considered to be some of the best free owl themed downloads for you to use and enjoy as you wish.  

Then, if you're in need of ideas for Christmas, some owl themed gifts are also provided. 
 Don't forget to check out the coupons here ! 


Free Owl Themed Downloads

Windows Snowy Owls theme

Ten Free Crochet Owl Patterns 

Assorted owl themed DIYs for kids party

Owl Theme Classroom Freebies

Owl Keyboard Theme


Owl Themed Gifts 

Personalized Sweet Owl Mug by sarabooT

Cute Owls and Lovely Flowers Savvy iPhone 5C Case by kazashiya

Owls in Autumn Custom Throw Pillow by heartlocked

2015 North American Owl Wall Calendar Wall Calendars by twolfephotos

Owl T-shirt by intoinfinity

Barn Owl T Shirt by PattiJAdkins