Owls of Harmony Hill
On February 5th, Sunshine and Lisa sent me a photo (see first photo) of some feathers they found on the ground, asking me to talk about where they might have come from and how they might have ended up on the ground. After taking a look, I was able to both see WHO they once belonged to and (most likely) HOW they found their way onto the forest floor.
The feathers are flight feathers that belonged to a Barred Owl (Strix varia) that probably found itself on the dinner menu for Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus). First, how do we know these feathers belong to a Barred Owl? Let’s take a look at the feathers. Immediately, we see that they are barred. (Sometimes, we naturalists apply common names that make sense!) The dark gray/brown bars are interrupted by white bars, giving the bird its common name.
As for the scientific name, (Strix varia)... Strix is pulled directly from the Strix creature of Greek mythology, which relates to Polyphonte, who was turned into an owl by Hermes, as punishment for her feral twins engaging in cannibalism. The Strix would cry through the night, unable to eat. It is also one of the roots of the superstition of owls being a foreboding and unlucky omen. Most cultures revered owls and even saw them as good luck; but, this was part of the turning of the tide, making owls to be bringers of ill-fortune.
The species name, varia, means exactly what you think it does: diverse and various. This comes from the barred plumage of the owl.
Barred Owls are residents of low, wet areas. Beaver Creek, with its bottomland hardwoods and riparian habitats, makes a perfect place for them to live and breed. They have a varied diet, packed full of species found in and around rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, creeks and swamps. I’ve seen them hunting for snakes, lizards, crayfish, smaller birds, rodents, squirrels and even earthworms. (Seriously… I came upon a Barred Owl that had discovered quite the gathering of earthworms, gobbling them up as quickly as it could scratch them out of the dark soil.)
Now, how do I know this unfortunate bird fell victim to a Great Horned Owl? Well, not many things take on Barred Owls. But, Great Horned Owls definitely can and will! In fact, Great Horned Owls will take on just about anything. It isn’t uncommon for Great Horned Owls to actively hunt skunks, racoons, porcupines and young coyotes. Their strength (they posses 7x the gripping strength of an adult human) and their tenacity have earned them the nickname “Flying Tiger”.
There is a Latin variant, Bubo, which is likely an onomatopoeia of the low hooting of owls, that references large owls. The species name of virginianus gives us the name of the colony where Great Horned Owls were first described.
Great Horned Owls begin pair bonding in South Carolina in November and begin nesting in December. Incubation of the eggs goes through January and hatching is usually late January and early February. During incubation and, especially after hatching, hunting activity increases. The owlets will develop and grow until fledging in early May. During that time, the adults are taking anything they can to nourish and quiet the begging of the owlets. And, as you have already guessed, means Barred Owls are on the menu!
I’ve also included links to information on Barred Owls, with photos and videos for you to see them and hear their calls. They have a diagnostic “Who Cooks for You? Who Cooks for You All?” call, as well as a call that sounds like monkeys in a jungle. You will also find a couple of photos I’ve taken of Great Horned Owls, one perched on a limb and one of a female at a nest, with three owlets. I’ve also attached a short video I took a couple years ago with the usual “Hoot, Hoot” of the Great Horned Owl and the less common barking call that is heard during pair bonding.
Though We Gotta Say Goodbye For the Summer
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Spring has us all excited about the colors and the rebirth around us and we can hardly contain ourselves! Each new day finds a flower in bloom that has returned to the landscape after so many months of dormancy or a butterfly taking flight and lifting our very spirits with each wingbeat. It is almost as though Nature, herself, has a new gift for us to unwrap everyday as we get deeper into spring. In all our giddiness to see our friends from last year, we heard a sound in the woods that reminded us we are losing friends we’ve had all winter. There have been species filling the shortened, colder days that we just left behind; little glints of spectacular life and some color in the midst of the chilliness and grays of last season. When we heard that whistled call echo through the trees, we knew that, for all the joy we were experiencing in the newness of leaf buds opening around us, there are goodbyes to be said amongst all the daily hellos.
It was an early morning in a place where the pines give way to hardwoods, where the drier upland areas begin leading downhill to the creek, where we walked with the sun dancing in and out of the brand new spring green leaves still unfurling on twigs of hardwoods. The warm yellow light of morning kissed our face as we watched a moth fly past us and we took a deep breath of clean air that was just the right mixture of crispness and warmth. In that moment of joy, we heard a bird call out behind us. It was a call we’d heard on and off throughout the winter and it was a call we knew well. When we said the name of the bird out loud, as we often do when birds sing on our walks, we realized that call was from a species leaving us for the spring and summer.
Blue-headed Vireos (Vireo solitarius) are one of four vireo species found at Harmony Hill and the only species found just in the winter. Red-eyed Vireos, White-eyed Vireos, and Yellow-throated Vireos breed here and begin showing up just before Blue-headed Vireos prepare to leave in the spring. For a short while in late April and early May, we have the glorious opportunity to see and hear all four species. During the warmest winters, it isn’t out of the question for Blue-headed Vireos to be joined by a handful of White-eyed Vireos. But that is about as hit-or-miss and unpredictable as you could imagine.
Like their Red-eyed and Yellow-throated cousins, Blue-headed Vireo songs are based on the classic vireo cadence and even sounds extremely similar to the “HERE I AM! WHERE ARE YOU?” mnemonic we learned for Red-eyed Vireos. While Red-eyed Vireos broadcast their songs nearly nonstop and Yellow-throated Vireos have a croupier song that sounds more like “THREE EIGHT!”, Blue-headed Vireo songs are sweeter, higher in pitch and aren’t heard quite as frequently. As a matter of fact, if you choose to join us for the audio version of this “Walk in the Woods”, we’ll demonstrate that song with a recording we were able to capture during our walk to let you hear the song!
Also, just a quick thank you to birds with common names so descriptive and correct as this collection of vireos! True to their names, Blue-headed Vireos have slate blue heads, Red-eyed Vireos have blood red eyes, White-eyed Vireos have crystal white eyes, and Yellow-throated Vireos have buttery yellow throats!
Vireos are in the Vireonidae family, which are a group of birds that superficially look like warblers or even large kinglets. But their bills are thicker, longer, and come to a small hook at the tip when compared to any warbler or kinglet species. They use those beaks to forage for insect eggs and overwintering adult insects from late November to early May at Harmony Hill. They also take advantage of late season insect larvae in early winter and early season insect larvae in early spring. We’ve observed them taking small spiders and even the occasional holly fruit, but small insects seem to make up the majority of their diet here.
Looking specifically at the Blue-headed Vireo, we see it does have that slate blue head that its common name mentions. But it has a set of white “spectacles”, wrapping around its eyes and leading to its beak. These white spectacles; and, yes, that is the technical term we use a naturalists, give them the appearance of wearing white framed eyeglasses. A slightly dirty wash appearance on their undersides gives way to a dull olive green back. And be sure to pay attention to the wings when you’re identifying this bird, as there are two small wing bars; one near the bend (or wrist) of the wing and another about ½” behind it and farther down the wing.
We’ve discussed their common name and how it is both descriptive and helpful in identifying this bird, but let’s dive into its scientific name. The genus name of Vireo means “greenness” and refers to the often drab olive color found on numerous vireo species, such as on the back of our Blue-headed Vireos. Their species name, solitarius, means just what it sounds like, “alone or in solitude”. True to that species name, you are highly unlikely to find more than one Blue-headed Vireo at a time. Unless you observe them during breeding season, you are far more likely to ever only see them foraging without other Blue-headed Vireos around.
To be certain, they are quite often found in mixed flocks, hanging out with chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, and even a woodpecker or creeper. But we can’t remember ever seeing more than one at a time outside of nesting season and definitely have never seen more than one at a time at Harmony Hill.
Twenty-five years ago, the species known at the time as Solitary Vireo was split into three species: Blue-headed Vireo, Cassin’s Vireo, and Plumbeous Vireo. Genetic studies showed that, despite looking quite a bit alike and even sounding similar, they were three distinct species. We’ve had the good fortune to see each of the three species coming from that split and we must agree there are some subtle differences seen even in the field. Cassin’s and Plumbeous Vireos are western species and have never been documented at Harmony Hill. But the Blue-headed Vireos provide more than enough enjoyment for us during the quieter and starker days they join us onsite.
And it is that enjoyment we shall miss as we heard our friend bid us farewell for the summer. For even as we celebrate the massive increase in songs, activity, color, and light that this season brings, we will miss our winter friends. And we thank the Blue-headed Vireo for helping carry us through until its relatives returned to nest and consume countless insects in the forests and along the creek banks. Thank you for that lilting song you gave to us the other morning on your way northward. Until we see you again in late November, safe travels to you!
Making a Mark At Harmony Hill: A Sharpie in the Forest
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A walk in the winter woods at Harmony Hill, like so many places, allows for the senses to reach farther into the trees. The leaves of the oaks, hickories, dogwoods, and hardwoods are messily scattered on the forest floor. The songs of birds are much softer and are mostly limited to simple, short calls. There are no cicadas or katydids to fill the background with constant sound. And the sun streams more cleanly through air not stagnated by the heat and humidity of summer. Instead, we can see movement of animals normally obscured by vegetation and we can hear small sounds usually dampened by the near endless activity of longer and warmer days. It is in this open and quiet backdrop that our attention was snatched from observing a beetle foraging along a recently downed snag by the sound of wings fluttering quickly and a speeding blur from the corner of our eye.
The sound of wings we heard were those of birds; chickadees, titmice, cardinals, and robins, that spotted the presence of the blur much earlier than we did. Their very lives depend on knowing when this bullet of an animal is around. And it was their alarm calls that let every other bird within earshot know danger was extremely close. The cause for their alarm was a Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus), an accomplished and highly evolved hunter stalking the interior of the forests of Harmony Hill.
This area sees two members of the genus, Accipiter, during various times of the year. The larger of the two species, the Coopers Hawk (Accipiter cooperii), is a year-round resident. The smaller, but just as active member of the genus, Sharp-shinned Hawks, often called “Sharpies” are only found during the winter.
Small does not in any way mean less capable or any less feared by other birds. The male Sharp-shinned Hawk is about the size of a Blue Jay and weighs in at about 3 ½ ounces; but it is adept at taking prey as large as Northern Flickers and American Robins. Female Sharp-shinned Hawks, as is often the case among many species of birds of prey, are considerably larger than males. For this species, they exhibit a size difference of about 30% larger. This phenomenon in which females are larger than males is known as reverse sexual dimorphism. And it seems that more actively a bird of prey species hunts, the more pronounced the reverse sexual dimorphism is.
In vultures, like the Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures found at Harmony Hill, the difference in size between the females and the males is negligible. That could be because vultures don’t have to do much more than look and smell for decaying animal material. In our larger hawks, like Red-tailed Hawks and Red-shouldered Hawks, who actively seek out and chase prey, the size difference is about 25%.
But, as much work as Red-tailed Hawks put in to catch squirrels, rabbits, and mice, they don’t pursue potential meals with the effort and zeal that Cooper’s Hawks and Sharp-shinned Hawks. You see, the Accipiter hawks are built for close quarters attacks and for chasing other birds through tight wooded areas. Larger Hawks often patrol wide open areas or perch where they can scan vast areas for prey, then take the chase to the prey. Sharp-shinned Hawks lurk in the limbs of trees in wooded areas, where prey is obscured by obstacles, vegetation, and structure. When they decide to attack, they know very well the chase is afoot and the ultimate game of tag is on. Dodging saplings, cornering on a dime, and zooming through narrow passages made by limbs, leaves, and vines, Sharp-shinned Hawks are as agile as they are stealthy.
Now, let’s dig into a natural history mystery! Why would female birds of prey be larger than males? And why would the level of activity placed into hunting be a factor in that reverse sexual dimorphism? It seems counter to what we learned about other groups of animals. In most mammals, the male is larger. That size difference is thought to be evidence of reproductive fitness, ability to provide, and ability to defend a territory. We see it in most primates, and we even see it in deer, and even bobcats. Why is it opposite in birds of prey?
The simple answer is, “We aren’t sure!” There are a couple of leading hypotheses, but nothing we know for certain. Perhaps it allows females to hunt for larger and different prey than the male, keeping them from competing against one another and more effectively providing for growing chicks. Perhaps it gives females greater physical reserves for better survival rates and to face the rigors of egg development. Perhaps it could be all of that and even more. The fact is, those reasons make perfect sense; but, we just don’t know. And, as you’ve heard us say before, not knowing is fine. The journey to more knowledge is begun by knowing and embracing what we don’t know. Mother Nature has many mysteries she has yet to reveal to us. We’ll keep looking to the plants and animals of Harmony Hill in search of the answers, reveling in our curiosity as we go!
Now that we’ve looked at the big picture of birds of prey and reverse sexual dimorphism, let’s tighten our focus to our spotlight species. In every way, Sharp-shinned Hawks are built for their jobs, surprise attacks and high-speed pursuits in forests. Looking at this week’s photos, it’s easy to see the physical adaptations they’ve evolved to excel at hunting other birds. The sleek, streamlined body grants them ability to slip through small openings. The short, rounded wings give them the speed necessary to chase, but also the uncanny maneuverability to make quick changes in flight angles. The long, striped tail acts like a feathered rudder, accentuating the body and wings to increase agility. And those incredibly sharp talons and beak deliver the killing blows to prey unfortunate enough to not be fast enough to escape.
That rudder tail is likely the reason for the species name of “striatus”, meaning striped. The genus name of “accipiter” refers to the Latin for “hawk”, as well as the Greek for “swift winged”. Both extremely fitting for our fast hawk with a prominent striped tail!
Make no mistake, the circle of life is real and there is very little warm and fuzzy about surviving day-to-day in nature. At Harmony Hill, we embrace that circle, for it is Mother Nature working her magical ways to seek balance. Predator/prey relationships are a keystone to the web of life and nature. Sharp-shinned Hawks are a fact of life in surviving winters at Harmony Hill for their favorite prey: other birds, and the occasional small mammal or insect. Birds; however, make up the largest percentage of their diet when compared to bats, rodents, and insects.
We don’t know what became of the hunt we caught the briefest glimpse of. But we know hawks like the Sharp-shinned are only successful about 20-25% of the time. For every successful hunt they have, there are at least 3 or 4 others in which they come up empty handed. Whether it obtained a meal or not, we were able to witness one of the coolest birds to grace the trees of Harmony Hill each winter. And we marvel at the many lessons one bird can teach us about size differences, hunting prowess, and the beauty of the struggle of life and death in these gorgeous woods we call home.
Wild About Turkeys: A Comeback Story Thousands of Years in the Making
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Part of loving and managing Harmony Hill is seeing what is here today and then determining what should be here tomorrow. The easy part is seeing what is here today. During our regular outings on this beautiful landscape, we are able to catalogue the flora and fauna found in her fields, forests, creekbanks and rock outcrops. It is quite satisfying to document the inhabitants of the land and, in doing so, it provides a bit of a framework for the months, years and decades ahead.
It can be difficult to decide what should be here for future generations; but, with the help of Mother Nature and good stewardship principles, we are able to set management goals for transitioning habitats, reducing invasive species, and giving nature a hand in finding balance in the ecosystems of Harmony Hill.
Given our deep affinity for this place and our love for every nook and cranny of this place, it should come as no surprise that we use lessons from the past to provide context for the todays and tomorrows of Harmony Hill. The stories of past generations color our approaches to what is to come. We find great value in the lessons of yesterday, whether that be from one month or 100 years ago.
As we look at a species that, by all indications, appears to be common all over much of North America, we must look back many centuries to see early domestication of wild animals, overhunting to the point of this species being removed from most of its original range, and populations being brought back from the brink by sensible management and conservation. In the middle of all of this, we will investigate a common name and scientific name that have never truly made sense, as well as dispel some misunderstandings about the physical and mental abilities of an animal that persist to this day.
What amazing animal could possibly have a story that complex, holding mysteries that still confound many linguists, anthropologists, and biologists? Why, it is the Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopova), that’s who!
This is easily the most common “game bird” found at Harmony Hill, as well as many places in the eastern United States. We often encounter flocks of these birds everywhere from the upland meadows to the bottomland hardwood forests and we always stop to watch their prehistoric looking heads and feet at work as they forage. By the way, a flock of Wild Turkeys can be referred to as a “crop”, a “posse”, a “gang”, and even a “raffle” of turkeys.
Their populations are stable and have been doing pretty well, for the most part, for a few decades now. There are years in which breeding success can be lower than others, for a variety of reasons; but, the last three decades have been good to Wild Turkeys. That has NOT always been the case.
A hundred years ago, they would have been completely absent from Harmony Hill. After hundreds and even thousands of years of being a prominent part of this area, overhunting and habitat destruction removed this beautiful bird from this portion of the state. In fact, the entire population of Wild Turkeys in the United States dropped to below 200,000 and what was once a regular sighting became extremely rare everywhere.
But, before we celebrate their return, let’s dial the clock way back to before explorers like Columbus ever set foot in the Americas. Wild Turkeys were a vital chapter in the stories of Native Americans and the peoples of the New World long before Europeans sailed in search of new trade routes and places to conquer. Bones of Wild Turkeys have been found in archaeological digs across the southeastern United States. In both the settlements of towns and villages, as well as in burial mounds, bones from the carcasses of Wild Turkeys have been found in numbers that are far too high to have been from hunted individuals. The evidence points to many tribes capturing and domesticating Wild Turkeys, likely the earliest form of domestication of an animal for food in the Americas.
There is every reason to believe that turkeys were on Harmony Hill as both a wild species and a domesticated species as far back as several hundred years before Europeans came here. There are several studies that show turkeys were kept as domestic animals for at least five centuries before Columbus set sail. And, with the trade and travel of Native Americans, the practice of domestication of turkeys spread over many tribes and locations across the continent.. Some anthropologists point to evidence in North America and Central America to hypothesize that turkeys were domesticated over a thousand years before Columbus.
It was when Europeans showed up that the mystery of the name “turkey” first began. Full disclosure before we proceed… there are linguists who still disagree on the origin of the word as a reference to the bird. Most certainly, we know that “Turkey” is a geographic location. And, it MAY be merchants from there who sold large fowl from Africa and Asia that inspired the name of this game bird. Perhaps early explorers saw the birds and thought of large birds, particularly Guineafowl, sold at markets by Turkish merchants. Perhaps not.
Perhaps the root of the word “turkey” comes from the Hindi word “tarki” and is a reference to the resemblance to peafowl and birds from India. Perhaps not.
The point is, as much as we love to give you specific definitions and roots to words, we cannot really do that for this bird! Ask ten linguists where the name comes from, and you very well might get ten etymology explanations!
Even the scientific name of Meleagris gallopova can be confusing! For that story, we have to go back even farther, into Greek mythology. The great hunter, Meleager, died before the Trojan War and his sisters grieved him for a long period. It was their grief that attracted the attention of the goddess, Artemis, who turned them into Guineafowl. Once again, in the genus name, we see the misidentification between turkeys and guineafowl coming back into play.
As for the species name, that’s a bit of a Latin compound word, combing the words for rooster (gallus) and peacock (pavo) to further complicate things!
Now that we have THAT out of the way, let’s look at the bird itself and how it fits on the landscape.
Wild Turkeys are big birds. They may not be as tall as an egret or heron; but they outweigh them by at least 3x. Great Blue Herons average around 5 pounds in weight, while the Wild Turkeys at Harmony Hill are likely around 15-18 pounds!
Don’t let the weight fool you, however. Because these birds can run and fly quite well. While they prefer to walk most of the time, it is not out of the question for these birds to run at speeds of near 20 miles per hour. When they do decide to fly, and they are great fliers, they can top 50 miles per hour on the wing! They aren’t able to keep those speeds up for long periods of time; but, they evolved those bursts of speed to very effectively escape predators like bobcats, coyotes, owls and even humans.
Male turkeys are called “Toms”, female turkeys are called “Hens” and young turkeys are called “Poults”. Besides having differences in appearance, with males sporting those big tails they can fan out to attract females, as well as longer beards that hang from their necks, males also have powder blue heads that they sport during breeding season. Toms also have wattles that turn bright red when blood rushes into the fleshy areas during breeding season. All of these visual cues show hens which males are the fittest to breed with.
If you ever come upon turkey scat while out for a walk, take a good look at it. The shape and size of the scat will tell you the sex and age of the turkey that deposited it! Toms have scat that is J-shaped, and hens have scat that is either squiggly or mostly straight. And, the older the bird, the larger the diameter of the scat.
Wild Turkeys have extraordinarily sharp vision, enabling them to see shapes and movement at long distances. Remember that burst of speed they evolved to elude predators? Their keen vision allows them to see even slightest movement and spot differences in shapes and patterns in their surroundings, which can be very useful when spotting danger. We don’t hunt Wild Turkeys at Harmony Hill, but we know enough turkey hunters who have gone home empty handed after having a tom spot the hunter scratching their nose or shifting to change their seating position on the ground. That incredible vision is an evolutionary marvel that has given turkeys a little help in recovering from record low populations.
The Wild Turkeys here have a varied diet, including grass seeds, acorns, insects, spiders and even a n occasional snake or lizard! Turkeys have been observed numerous times ahead of the low-intensity flames of a prescribed fire as they catch grasshoppers and even dragonflies flying away from the smoke. They are far from the dumb birds many have described them as, instead showing the ability to learn and adjust behaviors to utilize external factors to help forage.
There are five subspecies of Wild Turkey: Eastern, Merriam’s, Rio Grande, Gould’s and Osceola. Each has physical differences brought about by the various ecosystems they inhabit. Just some of the differences are that the Osceola Wild Turkey in Florida has longer legs to allow them to forage in wetter, swampier regions; while Rio Grande Wild Turkeys have a more pronounced tan coloration on the tips of feathers to help them blend into more arid regions of the southwest. Merriam’s are found in the mountainous west and have whiter feather tips that help them blend into snowier areas. There are many other differences; but, these few show what evolution has done to give separate populations advantages in survival.
The comeback of the Wild Turkey is something we appreciate and celebrate at Harmony Hill. And we manage our forests and fields in such a way that we encourage Wild Turkey populations to flourish throughout the property. We may not have been here 100 years ago when Wild Turkeys were completely absent from the landscape, but we do recall their reintroduction and their natural repopulation that brought them back just 40-50 years ago. And their reemergence in many of the habitats here is something we actively support..
You see, we use the past to teach us what we need to know for today and tomorrow. We use the missteps of overhunting and habitat destruction of yesterday to guide us in the conservation of today. We use the successes of proper management to bring species back to ensure future generations have plants and animals to enjoy and love.
Just as we study the people who once walked these hills long before us, we also keep an eye to the next generations long after us as inspiration. For it is in all of them that the story of the land is told.
Beauty In Black & White
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Rainbows paint the sky with bright and vivid colors. Azaleas and roses brighten mornings, as they glisten with dew in the rays of the sun. Colors grab our attention and bring joy to us all. So much attention is given to the most colorful plants or animals found on the landscape. At Harmony Hill, we are even guilty of delighting in the beauty of the yellows of Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies, the reds of male Northern Cardinals feathers and the lavenders of Maypop flowers as we walk in nature.
However, some of the more striking and breathtaking species we’ve seen at Harmony Hill are hued much more simply. Instead of vibrant tones, they stop us dead in our tracks with just a little black and white. Without the use of iridescence or a palate of golds, scarlets, indigos and emeralds, they grab our attention and cause us to stare in awe.
As fall migration winds down and the birds of the forest settle in for the winter, we see mixed flocks flitting from tree to tree. Breeding season is over and territoriality is no longer a driving behavioral factor, allowing flocks of six or more species of birds to intermingle and forage together. In the middle of these flocks, we often see a small bird whose two simple colors make us smile as big as any multicolored parrot or macaw ever could.
The aptly named Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) is a showstopper with its zebra-like plumage. Despite only being two-toned, it is striking in its appearance. And that simple coloration serves a terrific survival purpose!
First of all, this New World Warbler is the only member of the genus Mniotilta. We say "New World Warbler" because it is a warbler found in the New World of the Americas (North, Central and South, respectively). The genus name means "plucker of moss", in reference to the way this warbler will hitch along the trunks and limbs of trees, behaving less like a warbler and much more like a nuthatch or even a creeper. In fact, some old natural history literature refers to this bird as the “Black-and-white Creeper” and even the “Creeping Warbler”.
It will use its bill, which is clearly slightly decurved in each of the photos, to forage and glean in the bark of trees. That is in stark contrast to the way most warblers forage for insects and food items. Whereas most warblers are concerned with probing in and around leaves and foliage, as well as hawking and sallying insects in the air, our monochrome friend is busy peeking in and around tree bark and exposed wood fibers. A warbler acting like a nuthatch. Now that is cool! And that is also why it is the only member of the “moss plucker” genus!
The species name, varia, is just as descriptive as the genus name. Meaning “striped” or “variegated”, we could not think of a better species name for this gorgeous little bird. It is most definitely the zebra of the bird world.
The deep and defined black striping lets us know the bird pictured in this post is a male. The female will exhibit stripes that skew more into the greyscale and aren't quite as wonderfully defined, though she is still a beautiful sight to see! One key identifying feature to focus on for a quick and easy way of determining sex in the field with this species is the cheek. As is seen in the accompanying photos, the male Black-and-white Warbler has a black cheek. The female, on the other hand, will only have a stripe; sometimes with a light grey blush lightly brushing the cheek plumage.
Similar to the striping of a zebra, the striping of the Black-and-white Warbler isn't really meant to be a concealing type of camouflage. This understated coloration serves as more of a disruptive pattern, particularly when the bird is found sitting against the bark of many of the hardwood trees found at Harmony Hill. With the zebra, the stripes do tend to somewhat blend into the grasses of the African plains. However, the pattern on zebras confuses predators and the stripes disrupt hunting lions, cheetahs, hyenas and leopards so they cannot determine where one zebra begins and another ends. The stripes distract and disorient potential predators, causing them to find it increasingly hard to target an individual zebra to single out and attack.
While the Black-and-white Warbler may have the potential to disappear somewhat into the pattern of the bark of a tree such as a Water Oak (Quercus nigra), the striped pattern confuses potential predators who find it difficult to discern the outline of the body of the warbler. Thus, making it difficult to see where the tree ends and the bird begins and causing a hesitation in determining an angle to effectively attack. That hesitation and difficulty in targeting is all that is needed to give this small bird a slight edge over hawks and snakes.
The use of black and white disruptive patterns is something that has been adopted by humans. Disruptive black and white patterns have been used on naval vessels and airplanes to confuse enemy targeting during war. These patterns are still regularly used by automakers to "disguise" exterior lines and features of future models on test tracks, countering the efforts of competitors to spy and to combat a form of corporate espionage.
Less confusing or baffling than the disruptive plumage is the beauty of this bird found in the forests of Harmony Hill. Please enjoy the up-close and personal look at this black and white beauty, it's pattern and the absolute wonder of what can be done by nature with just two colors!
The Fishers of Harmony Hill
We are very lucky at Harmony Hill to be virtually surrounded by water. Whether it be a creek, a stream, a lake or even a small waterfall, the presence and sound of water is rarely far from us as we walk along the landscape. Water is life and we celebrate it. We strive to keep it as clean as possible, encouraging permaculture practices and limiting the use of chemicals; and we work to keep it as plentiful as we can, conserving it in our everyday lives and land management.
When you have abundant water, especially in the forms of ponds, lakes and rivers, Nature will bring visitors, guests, and residents to the land. And we are extremely happy to see two residents at Harmony Hill that, just a few decades ago, were struggling to survive. Their populations are now stable; but we still work to keep their numbers growing and we still get excited each time we see them on the wing. They are the fishers of Harmony Hill: the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)!
It isn’t horribly uncommon to look out over a large lake or a flowing river and see these species either perched on a limb or gliding over the water’s surface in search of a fresh fish to catch. This has been far from the case. In the last 40 years, both species have made dramatic and wonderful comebacks from perilously low numbers. The use of chemicals, like the insecticide, DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), caused populations to plummet to dangerous level. DDT would accumulate in the blood and tissues of birds higher in the food web and it would weaken the structural strength of eggs laid by these species, causing the eggs to collapse and/or break during the laying process and the incubation process.
Species from Peregrine Falcons to Swainson’s Hawks suffered mightily during the legal use of this chemical, from the 1940s until it was outlawed by the USEPA in 1972, with surveys each year showing fewer and fewer of the birds successfully reproducing. Perhaps no other two species suffered as much as the Bald Eagle and the Osprey. They became the “poster children” of the movement to outlaw DDT and, thankfully, have been able to see their number recover since it was removed from the market.
Let’s take a moment and talk about just how bad things got for these two species. In the early to mid-1970s, there were barely 415 breeding pairs of Bald Eagles in the United States! A few years later, in 1981, surveys showed between 7000-8000 nesting pairs of Ospreys in the US. We are EXTREMELY lucky to still have these birds with us and they serve as real success stories in conservation and the environmental movements of the 1960s and 1970s. In fact, the current Bald Eagle population in the United States is somewhere around 316,000 individuals (data courtesy of 2021 USFWS population trends).
Bald Eagles are considered by many to be the very symbol of majesty and strength. This is one of the reasons they were chosen as the national symbol (now the national bird) of the United States. However, for all their strength, and trust us, they are STRONG, they will just as readily steal a meal from another animal or pick a bit of carrion clean. That strength of which we speak? Well, they have a gripping strength in their talons that is equivalent to 6x-8x the gripping strength of a human.
While we’re on the subject of amazing physical abilities, we’ve all heard the term “eagle-eyed”. Why don’t we break down just how amazing the eyes of Bald Eagles really are. They have incredible binocular vision granting them the ability to see faraway objects much closer and in greater detail than we could ever be capable of. Perfect human vision is 20/20, meaning we can see at a distance of 20 feet what should be clearly seen at 20 feet. Well, Bald Eagles are equipped with vision that sits somewhere around what we would consider 20/4 vision. This means eagles see clearly at a distance of 20 feet what we can see perfectly at a distance of 4 feet. To break that down a little more, if a Bald Eagle could comprehend the numbers of a date on a dime, it could do it at the length of a football field!
This absolutely allows them to see prey, like fish just under the surface of the water, from high altitudes and it allows them to spot prey items from a distance that allows them to incorporate the element of surprise. While they are no strangers to thievery from other birds, like Osprey, Bald Eagles are MORE THAN CAPABLE of capturing fish to feed themselves or their offspring. And, unlike they’re distance cousins, the Osprey, Bald Eagles readily enjoy a varied diet and may hunt for reptiles, amphibians, mammals, other birds and carrion.
Bald Eagles are BIG! They sit at over 3 feet tall and have a wingspan of over 6 feet in length. They fly with a very flat overall shape, making them quit easy to identify on the wing. But their plumage varies as they age, giving several different looks until they acquire that distinctive white head and white tail. Depending upon the health, location and genetics of the bird, it takes AT LEAST 4 years for a Bald Eagle to reach that mature plumage. More often than not, it takes 5 years for most birds to molt into the definitive adult plumage. We will dedicate a future post to the molting process seen in Bald Eagles and how to identify how old they are by that plumage.
That really long and seemingly difficult-to-pronounce scientific name is just as descriptive as the often-misinterpreted common name. Let’s clarify both of them now! The genus name of Haliaeetus comes from the Ancient Greek word for Sea Eagle and the genus name of leucocephalus is derived from two Latin words meaning White Head. Forms of “Leuko” are used in words referencing things relating to “white”, as in leukemia and leucism. And “cephalus” is still used to refer to things rlating to “head”, as in hydrocephalus.
The common name of Bald Eagle is not at all relating to being hairless. Instead, the Old English word “balde” meant white. It wasn’t until the word “bald” branched from that word that any meaning of not having hair was brought into the lexicon. I guess the more correct name should’ve been Balde Eagle.
Onto the next fisher of Harmony Hill. This more skilled angler is often mistaken for a Bald Eagle; but, is quite a bit smaller. Ospreys come in at a height of about 2 feet tall and fly on wings that are usually 5 ½ feet wide. They also usually fly with their wings kinked in a shallow “W” shape, unlike the very flat flight shape of the Bald Eagle.
Ospreys are also designed to be more of a fishing specialist. In fact, their diets are almost exclusively fish; with any variation at all occurring when there is a sudden reduction in the availability of fish to capture. They’ve been documented taking frogs, snakes, small mammals and small birds; but, these items are a VERY small percentage of their overall documented diet. In fact, naturalists and biologists refer to these other prey items as “Rare and highly irregular”. Ospreys were built to catch fish, to the point that the bottoms of their feet are covered with rough, barb-shaped projections to dig into and hold onto slippery fish.
Ospreys may look like hawks and eagles, even being called “fish hawk” over much of its range of every continent, except Antarctica. They are; however, separated from both families of birds of prey and represent their own, distinct family of birds.
Having far more white on their bodies, they don’t really look a lot like eagles when you take a good look. Be sure to pay attention to this post’s photos and you’ll see the striking and noticeable difference in shape and plumage between the two species.
The scientific name of (Pandion haliaetus) has a great similarity to that of the Bald Eagle. Continuing what we discussed in the post on Coral Honeysuckle, we see some Latin names used in different ways for various species. This is yet another case in which a characteristic is similar enough between species that a word is used in some capacity for each. This time, we see the forms of “haliaetus” being used in both the scientific name for Osprey and for Bald Eagle.
Just as before, the Osprey species name of “haliaetus” means “Sea Eagle”. So much so that the logo for the NFL team, Seattle Seahawks, is an artistic version of an Osprey’s head.
The genus name of “Pandion” has us looking back at Greek mythology, where we find the Athenian king of Pandion getting a nod. Pandion had two daughters, Procne and Philomela, who were transformed into birds. The two daughters have complicated backstories; but, were transformed into a Swallow and a Nightingale, respectively. (Very briefly, Philomena suffered a brutal death; but, was brought back as a Nightingale, to sing a mournful lamentation for all to hear and know of her sorrow.)
The common name of “Osprey” goes back to an Old French word, “ospreit”. “Ospreit” appears to originate from a degraded form of the Latin term "avis praedae", which translates to bird of prey (bird that uses a predation technique) and was used to describe just about any hawk, eagle or other bird of prey.
Our happiness in the return of these birds comes with each sighting we have at Harmony Hill. We also know that there is no separation in nature and that conservation is a holistic goal. The protection of these birds doesn’t simply start and end with DDT being outlawed. No, it extends much farther than that. We know that Bald Eagles in our area overwhelmingly prefer to nest in tall, large pine trees and we protect old trees all over Harmony Hill. Research shows that roughly 75% of Bald Eagles in much of the southeast will nest in pine trees that are tall enough and have substantial limb structure to hold the large nest of this species, and which provide them a good view of their surroundings (data provided by 2006 Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission surveys).
Ospreys aren’t quite as closely tied to old, large pine trees; but, we know that, in conserving old, large trees at Harmony Hill, we are supporting potential nesting sites for Ospreys, as well.
Next time you see one of these beautiful birds in nature, take a moment to appreciate their presence and to celebrate their return to the landscape. And, take a moment to remember you are part of the landscape and your actions ripple out. There is no separation in nature.
Common Does Not Always Mean Ordinary! Grackles Are Much More
Sometimes, looks can be deceiving. Sometimes, what you think you see, at first glance, can be far from what is really there. We see this in nature most often in many forms, such as mimicry and camouflage. Another place we see this is in something we don’t think much about, until spring and summer at Harmony Hill, iridescence. Sure, we see those shiny and blazing ruby throats on the male hummingbirds that breed here. But some of the best representations we see of iridescence are found on a common bird that is often seen as a “pest” or “trash bird”. Let’s take a look at a common bird with unexpected beauty, the Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula).
Now, before you say to me, “That bird isn’t pretty.”, or, “Why would you spotlight such an aggravating bird?”, allow us to open your eyes to the wonders of this oft maligned avian smartie!
There are three grackle species that breed in North America: Common Grackle, Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major) and Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus). There are three other grackle species that can be found from Central America and the Greater Antilles, into South America; Carib Grackle (Quiscalus lugubris), Greater Antillean Grackle (Quiscalus niger) and Nicaraguan Grackle (Quiscalus nicaraguensis), Along with an extinct Mexican species, the Slender-billed Grackle (Quiscalus palustris), these species make up the entirety of grackle genus.
Grackles are all New World species and are part of the Icteridae (Blackbird) family of birds. The genus name of Quiscalus is most likely a nod to the Jackdaw (Corvus monedula), a European corvid that early visitors to the New World may have thought Grackles were related. The Latin name for Jackdaw was “graculus”, giving the Common Grackle both its genus AND its species name!
A very quick aside about the blackbird family name of Icteridae… many species of birds in this family don’t just exhibit black or dark plumage. Some species have prominent yellow and yellow-orange feathers. As it so happens, the Greek word “ikteros” means “suffering of jaundice”, a direct reference to the yellow plumage found on many of the members of this family!
Now that we’ve gotten to know the family, let’s focus in on the Common Grackle. Grackles are not universally loved… this much we know. They can gather in large flocks, and, in the case of the Great-tailed Grackle (and even the Boat-tailed Grackle), they can stream into parking lots by the dozens and hundreds. Long before they flocked to parking lots, their gatherings were surrounded by superstition and fear, particularly in the southeastern United States. Old wives’ tales have been told for generations that “blackbird flocks” brought disease or even impending death. These superstitions persist to the point that flocks of grackles are called “a plague” or “a nuisance”.
Very quick debunking of these old wives’ tales… there is NO scientific evidence that these birds bring sickness, disease or death! That is why we refer to these things as superstitions and not facts!
Common Grackles are most often found near wetlands, lakes, rivers, streams and swamps. And, yes, they can flock in some impressive numbers. Most often found in mixed flocks during the winter, it is not uncommon to find Common Grackles flocking with Rusty Blackbirds, Brown-headed Cowbirds, European Starlings and even American Robins in numbers that can reach 100,000 individuals.
They are the very definition of omnivorous, eating anything that will fit in their mouths. Berries, insects, spiders, small fish, amphibians, small reptiles, bird eggs, and even human garbage are readily eaten.
Remember we mentioned being smarties? How they forage and eat shows a higher level of intelligence than many birds possess. First of all, they walk around as they forage. You read that right, they walk! They do not hop or jump around they walk. Secondly, they will readily wade out into shallow water and search for frogs, fish or, in the case of our photos, mussels. The bird in the accompanying photos is dining on invasive Asian Clams (Corbicula fluminea) it is capturing in a couple inches of water.
When some food items are found to be too dry, Common Grackles will readily soak the food in water to soften it or make it more palatable. They have also known to steal food from other animals, such as worms from American Robins.
Did we happen to mention that some grackle species will often help each other in their flocks? Cooperation is nothing new for these birds, as they will share roosting sites and even food with members of their flock. That can occasionally include other species of birds; so, they’re not all about taking from others.
Next, let’s focus on the most eye-catching part of the male Common Grackle, the iridescent plumage that provides some of the most beautiful purples, bronzes and turquoises you’ll ever see. When you first look at Common Grackles, they appear to be little more than a dark bird, with your first inclination to be writing it off as a drab black bird. However, with just a turn of the head or body, they will prove you wrong!
And it’s in that turn that we learn the science behind their beauty and the secret to their plumage. Some birds are colored by pigments, like carotenoids, melanins, and porphyrines in their feathers. (We’ll do a post on just those three feather properties in a future installment!) Some birds appear to be certain colors because of how their feathers are constructed or lay on their bodies.
Most birds colored blue owe that blue tint to the way their feathers hold air in the feather and away from their bodies. Blue Jays, Bluebirds and Indigo Buntings aren’t really blue, it’s just the way their feathers scatter light and reflect back shades of blue. Don’t believe me? Next time you find a Blue Jay feather, turn it over and look at it. It’s black. Turn it back right-side-up and you’ll see the blue refraction. Even tilting the feather at a different angle will darken the appearance and remove the blue from your view.
Grackle feathers do something similar, but completely different! Like the gorget (throat) feathers of many hummingbirds, grackle feathers are little more than feathered prisms, giving various iridescent sheens in different light. The angle the bird is from you, as well as the angle of the light, dictates the changing shimmers of color you see!
Take a look at the photos and you’ll see everything from nothing but pure black feathers to a veritable rainbow of color shining in the afternoon sunlight!
A bird, surrounded by superstition and disliked for their large flocks; yet also is quite intelligent and has a beautiful iridescent sheen. That is a bird that should be celebrated and not clouded by dislike, if you ask me. I mean, just look at the colors that pop on that Icteridae!
Four Species of Owls in the Lower Piedmont of the Carolinas
Last night, we delved into the origins of superstitions surrounding owls and looked at the fantastic way they’re built to take advantage of the nighttime. Tonight, let’s look at the individual species that are found throughout the lower piedmont and marvel at their natural excellence.
The largest of our resident owls is the Great Horned Owl. Slightly larger than the Red-tailed Hawk, this owl is at the top of the food chain when it comes to birds around here. Nicknamed “Flying Tigers”, Great Horned Owls will kill and eat other birds of prey, as well as raccoons, skunks, opossums, and even cats. There are even documented cases of them killing porcupines and even standing their ground against eagles. In short, they are tougher than I am. They also happen to be a lot stronger, too. Great Horned Owls have quite the grip on them; about seven times stronger than even the strongest person you know. Many people associate Great Horned Owls with impending death and their presence as a bad omen. Several Native American tribes; however, viewed them as quite the opposite, even believing only the most virtuous individuals became Great Horned Owls when they died. I am always impressed when I see them and can tell you that the Great Horned Owl is the only bird ever to make me nervous when I banded it.
Most birds breed in the spring. That’s what we all learned and what we’ve all observed in our yards. Not the Great-Horned Owl. Along with other large birds, like eagles, they must begin in the coldness of winter. Great-Horned Owls may begin mating rituals as early as November and start nesting as early as December. Why so early? It takes a long time to raise really large chicks, like those Great-Horned Owls do.
Next are another well-known owl. Barred Owls are our water loving owls. They live in swamps and near rivers and streams. They are the most common owl to be seen in the daytime and are frequently seen flying around in broad daylight, particularly during breeding season when they must find plenty of food for hungry owlets. Barred Owls hunt for everything from snakes and rodents to other birds and even fish. They are often associated with success in hunting. This dates back to Native American beliefs that Barred Owls granted hunters the ability to see and hear prey with the same prowess as the owl. Barred Owls, among other owls, are also thought to portend bad weather. One popular belief in the south is that extremely vocal and active Barred Owls warn of storms or very cold weather. Many animals, not just owls, become more active prior to changes in weather. Currently, there is a great deal of research being done to study how animals sense these changes; with most finding animals are sensitive to changes in barometric pressure.
Camden is known for its horses and no horse property is complete without a barn. The Barn Owl is known for, and indeed was named for, its inclination for living in barns. This owl is one of the coolest birds there is. While all owls are phenomenal, there is something extra special about a Barn Owl. They are found on every continent except Antarctica and have sight and hearing that is superb, even by owl standards. Barn Owls can successfully hunt in total darkness and can identify prey under several inches of grass, hay, and even snow. They do this by having far more of the light sensing rods in their eyes than humans, as well a facial disc of feathers that funnels sound to ears that are offset on the sides of their heads, giving them unmatched triangulation abilities in pitch black situations. They even memorize individual sounds that various species of prey make and recognize each of these sounds. Barn Owls can tell by just the sound of a rodent digging whether it's a mouse or a shrew.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barn_Owl/sounds
These owls are the likely source for many beliefs in ghosts and stories of hauntings. They are mostly white in color, fly silently, come out at night, and did I mention they scream? Imagine going outside after dark and seeing a flash of white sail by without making a noise, only to disappear in the darkness, followed by a blood-chilling scream. If you didn’t know any better, you would think you had seen a ghost, too! Unfortunately, their populations are dropping and they are no longer found in many places they were once common. The use of pesticides and changes in land management has led to a substantial decline in the number of Barn Owls. These birds are better at controlling rodent populations than any cat and are an all-natural alternative to chemicals and pesticides; thus, their presence should be encouraged.
Our last, and smallest, resident owl is the Eastern Screech-Owl. Standing only about eight inches tall, my grandmother called them “shivering owls” because of their whinny-like call that is often followed by a haunting trill. She also believed that, if it was heard for three consecutive nights, this bird brought with it doom and almost certain death to a loved one or family member. This belief was almost as absurd as what she thought a person should do to make the owl “hush up”. She sincerely believed you would have to “choke your pinky”, squeezing your little finger until the bird flies away. I am a scientist and, though I loved my grandmother dearly, I do not subscribe to any of her superstitions. She would probably freak out to know I had Eastern Screech-Owls nesting in a box in my front yard for eight years in a row. If she were here now, I’d be the first show her the nest box, place an owlet in her hands, and assure her that I’ve lost no one important because of the owls. If the owls did, in fact, bring death every three nights, I’d have no friends or family left after those eight years!
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Screech-Owl/sounds
Eastern Screech Owls come in two main color morphs: red and gray. There is a less common brown color morph that is a blend of the red and gray morphs. The reasons for the variation in color isn’t at all clear, as they’re not specific to males or females. And it is very common for red color morph Eastern Screech Owls to mate with gray color morph Eastern Screech Owls. Additionally, offspring from breeding pairs of Eastern Screech Owls of the same color morph will likely be of both color morphs. As a side note, I checked my records and I’ve banded 158 Eastern Screech Owls and I promise you I smiled from ear-to-ear while banding each and every one of them!
Now that we know some of the facts and we understand the origins of some of the superstitions surrounding these incredible birds, I hope we can all appreciate them for the natural marvels they truly are. They are not bringers of sickness and death and they are certainly not evil creatures. Instead, they are masters of stealth and have excelled at using the very darkness they live in to their favor. So, the next time you hear or see an owl, remember you are in the presence of an evolutionary marvel!
Digging Deeper into Owls
With your indulgence, I thought we’d dig into owls a little more. Let’s start with a closer look at owls, in general. Then, if you’ll allow it, I thought I’d spotlight the four species of owls tomorrow that could potentially be found in and around the Harmony Hill area.
There is an enchantment that accompanies the darkness, and it isn’t difficult to understand why so many cultures throughout history have held reverence for the creatures that inhabit the night. To early humans, any animal that was able to succeed behind the deep purple veil of night must surely be magical or possess abilities not granted by anything of this realm. Perhaps it is this reason that such superstition surrounds owls. Without a doubt, I get asked more questions about owls than just about any other group of birds, with the majority of those questions being related to superstition and old wives’ tales.
Owls date back some 60 million years and are the epitome of evolutionary success, having become the rulers of the nighttime air. Interest in owls goes back to prehistoric humans, with owls being one of only a few birds depicted in prehistoric cave paintings. Eagles, falcons, and hawks may be held in high esteem in various cultures for strength or speed; but owls are almost uniformly admired for their apparent wisdom and sage judgment. The veneration of owls is carried over into the fact that a group of owls is referred to as a “parliament” or “wisdom” of owls.
The likely explanation of this can be traced back to Greek mythology, where the Little Owl was an ever-present companion of the Greek goddess, Athena. As it would happen, Athena was the goddess of wisdom, justice, courage, and strategy. Athena’s Roman counterpart, Minerva, was also closely identified with owls. Romans believed owls were sent by Minerva to warn of potential danger and this eventually led to owls being linked to ill outcomes. Romans also believed the night air contained and carried disease, pollution, and death. Since owls are found in what was viewed as that same miasmic air, the legend of owls bringing death gained traction.
In the lower piedmont, there are four species of owls – Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Barn Owl, and Eastern Screech-Owl. All four species are year-round residents and breed here. There are also a couple of rare visitors to the lower piedmont. Occasionally, you might find vagrant Short-eared Owls and Northern Saw-whet Owls drifting south of their normal ranges in the winter, to spend some cold nights hunting nearby fields and forests. While these visits are rare, they pale in comparison to the visitor from a few years back. A Snowy Owl made its way extremely south back in January 2012, making it one of the most unusual feathered visitors to the lower piedmont.
Each of these amazing owls is subject to myth and lore that stems from their nocturnal behavior and the mystery surrounding how they survive. By taking a look at how owls are built, we can get a better understanding of the ways they have succeeded at living in the shadows and lightlessness. First of all, owls possess flight feathers that have tiny rough and tattered edges that deafen the sound of air flowing over the wings. They are also covered, down to their talons, with very soft feathers that dampen any noise that could be made as they move. If prey can’t hear owls flying towards them, the first time most know they’re being hunted is when the owl is gathering them in its talons. Owls were flying with stealth millions of years before Lockheed’s Skunk Works developed the Have Blue. Quiet as a mouse is good. Quiet as an owl is even better!
Secondly, owls have eyes that have evolved to utilize even the smallest amount of light. Eyes contain photoreceptors called rods and cones. Rods are sensitive to changes in light and shadows and cones are sensitive to colors. (The way I’ve always remembered this is C = Cones and Color, R = Rods and Reduced Light) Owls have a tremendous number of rods, the light sensitive photoreceptors, packed into eyes that are large and cylindrical in shape, providing them unsurpassed night vision. Some species of owls have night vision that is an amazing one hundred times more sensitive than our own. Their eyes are also so large that they fill their sockets to the point that owls can’t move their eyes. While this is a disadvantage to some point, the eyes are set wide apart on their faces and provide terrific binocular vision. This inability to move their eyes is made up for by being able to turn their heads a great deal farther than humans. More on that in a moment.
Finally, owls have ears that are placed at different heights on the sides of their heads. The pronounced asymmetry of the ears gives owls extremely accurate hearing, and it grants them a phenomenal talent to locate prey in darkness and under the shroud of vegetation or even snow. Owls frequently fine-tune the location of sounds by pivoting and bobbing their heads. Now you know why owls are often nodding their heads from side to side! They are able to turn their heads 270 degrees on deceptively long necks, which is 90 degrees more than we are capable of doing. Allow me to take this opportunity to dispel another old wives’ tale; you cannot make an owl wring its own neck by walking in a circle around it. I never really understood why anyone would want to try that. But, people are odd…
Again, if you’ll indulge me, we will take a little closer look tomorrow at each of the four species found in the lower piedmont. All four species are quite incredible and fill necessary niches in the ecosystems found right there in the Harmony Hill area!