SNN (ScrollingNetworkNews) ✿ ✿ Our Mel and Sydney returned to their nesting box with plenty of bonding occurring..but after 2.5 months of Sydney in the box from Dec 2013 to mid Feb 2014, the lack of prey gifts from Mel ( perhaps due to the severe and historic drought underway in California)and they have forgone the nesting process this year as many other raptors ✿ Compared to other owls of similar size, the Barn Owl has a much higher metabolic rate, requiring relatively more food. Pound for pound, Barn Owls consume more rodents – often regarded as pests by humans – than possibly any other creature. ✿ We remind viewers that sometimes owlets may not survive - the parents will dispose of things in "The Owl Way" -viewer discretion is advised, this is nature and the "Owl way". ✿ ~ ✿ “Animals, like us, are living souls. They are not things. They are not objects. Neither are they human. Yet they mourn. They love. They dance. They suffer. They know the peaks and chasms of being.” ― Gary Kowalski, The Souls of Animals ✿ Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and genius." ~ E.O. Wilson

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Milky Eagle Owl

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum
: Chordata Class
: Aves Order: Strigiformes Family
: Strigidae Genus
: Bubo Species
: B. lacteus 

Milky eagle owls are the largest African owl species.
Very large, uniform grey (gray) eared owl, with dark eyes and bare pink eyelids.

 African Milky Eagle Owls prey on a variety of animals including birds, game birds, ducks, crows, nestling herons, hares, mongoose, guinea fowl and many other small game animals. They also eat hedgehogs, rats and pigeons. They also consume frogs, beetles and crickets.

Mainly breeds from March to September, nesting in old stick nests of other birds such as vultures, crows or Hammerkops. 2 eggs are laid, and are incubated for 38 days. It is normal for the second chick to disappear within the first 2 weeks.
The remaining chick leaves the nest at about 9 weeks and can fly well within a couple of weeks. It can be independent by 6 months of age although many chicks remain with the parents for up to 2 years.