Great Gray Owl Nest Interesting delivery from possibly another female 10:28am MDT 5-23-2017

[@snowcrane3337]

I have been watching this scenario in the highlights. You are right. It sounded like another female that came. It was not Dad. The owl was making the same sort of calls Mom makes. And Mom finally went over and took the prey and flew back to the nest and the look was priceless as she turned and looked at the other owl. I think it may have been her daughter from the year before maybe...

[@lincolny2220]

I love the sounds the mom owl makes in response to the owl calls at the beginning.

[@Screwsandrods]

Very interesting indeed, I enjoy watching them they are incredibly smart and I like how you edit your vids ty for getting back to me!

[@polo7422]

I'm happy that you enjoy the highlights thank you very much

[@janetmiller175]

Thank you for the response.

[@MonieMuse]

Wow that close turn around she did and you see what's in her mouth !

[@Screwsandrods]

i thought that was their dad, please explain why another female would bring food for babies that aren't hers?

[@polo7422]

that is a very good question -- I did not think it was Dad as it was not his hooting pattern -- it sounded more like a female to me -- very interesting behavior

[@snowcrane3337]

@@polo7422 No, it was not Dad

[@monkey-trial...6578]

I l9ve that cute sound they make. G G O s seem to be the smartest of all the species of owl. Of course the eye size to sk7ll size ratios say otherwise. But the g g o and barn owls seem to be the most I dustrious of these lazy birds and work hard to get food unlike other opportunistic owls. Just noticed I made these observations in owls w/o ear tufts. Is there anythu g to this? Smaller owls w/o tufts also seem more I dustrious.

[@rayharvey1330]

They should use owls in Baltimore...to take care of the rat problem...

[@janetmiller175]

does the female go and bring prey back as well or does the male do most of It? I have so enjoyed watching them.

[@polo7422]

Mom does seem to go off nest but not sure if she is hunting yet or just hanging out in her favorite perch waiting for the male to bring in prey -- sometimes they do hand off out of camera view and she brings it in

[@dovwythe7797]

Perhaps it was a owlet from a previous year that she had?

[@polo7422]

possible but there is no way to know for sure. I would think that they would not let offspring stay in their territory but I have never observed GGO behaviors so I don't know that is why having this camera was such a treat to see them up close

[@dovwythe7797]

yes you can learn so much from watching them. :)

[@wina018414]

Maybe it was a young Owl and didn't realize there was a nest with a owl family in it??

[@polo7422]

really hard to know exactly what was going on. But is sure was interesting behaviors

[@snowcrane3337]

I believe Mom knew that owl so possibly her offspring

[@lyrictenor1]

Is it just me, or did only one of the owlets eat?

[@polo7422]

that is totally normal on an owl nest -- they swallow prey whole unless Mom is shredding it for them

[@lyrictenor1]

@@polo7422 Well, it looked like at the beginning the mother was shredding it for them, but the entire time, only one owlet was being fed from either the shredded bits and the rest of the carcass.

[@polo7422]

the others might not have been hungry they don't always eat every feeding only when they are hungry -- also the others might have needed to cast a pellet before they could eat more --- she was a very good parent and the male provided plenty of food so they were all okay

[@sailormoon2402]

.Early this morning mother has been doing these noises... if it was another female why she didn't attack her? Maybe the intruder lost her nest and babies.

[@polo7422]

that is a great question and I really don't have an answer why she didn't go after the other owl (which I think was also a female) this is the first time I have ever observed GGO's so I don't know all their behaviors -- that is why so grateful for this wonderful camera to learn more about them

[@DoubleDogDare54]

Interesting as just yesterday I was watching videos of Eastern Bluebirds. I was surprised to see juveniles from a previous clutch pitching in to help feed the nestlings. With one nest something had happened to the female of the pair. She suddenly disappeared leaving dad with a nest full of hungry chicks. But there were three juvies from a previous clutch hustling right along with their old man to feed the current family in the bird house. Never knew they did that. But after watching that, I sort of agree with the idea the helper at the owl nest might be a member of a previous clutch that didn't have a territory and stayed in the area in a non-threatening manner. I believe such owls are known as "floaters" and probably the resident pair knew the owl, be it one of their own chicks or otherwise.

[@sailormoon2402]

Maybe was the male. And what happened to the oldest?

[@snowcrane3337]

I would love to hear what Denver Holt thinks of this

[@mari1apo2]

Who's in the nest with them ?

[@polo7422]

Mom was in the nest when the other owl arrived

[@birdie2659]

You are wrong. No other female delivering food, no way! That s only kind of fantasy. "Males and females defend their nest sites from other owls and raptors. The first line of defense is a threatening display. They spread their facial feathers to expose their bill, which they fiercely snap, drop their wings, or hoot to shun the intruder. If that doesn’t work, they may escalate territory defense to chasing and sometimes attacking the intruder." It was Dad with prey. Probably making feeding calls. Our female a few minutes later got that prey and brought it to their owlets. The simple logic, like it or not.

[@polo7422]

but here is my thoughts he has never delivered like that and the calls were female to me not male -- Mom did not call to him like she has for previous deliveries nor did he make the chittering noises he makes when bringing in prey so for these reasons I do not think this was Dad -- so we can agree to disagree -- and each have our own opinion -- thank you for watching my video highlights

[@birdie2659]

Even other owl species (for example EEO) s males dont use to feed, only to bring food. But I ve heard these males chittering as female when bringing food. Crucial is that normal female would NEVER let an intruder to sit over her head and stayed totally calm in such situation. It was Dad. Why he did not pass prey in the nest, but a few minutes later, is unknown (is random behaviour) but female would not let a stranger to approach her nest for SURE!

[@DoubleDogDare54]

Every time I ever saw the old man bring home the groceries he always landed directly at the front of the nest and either gave the prey to mom to distribute or handed it directly to whatever owlet was closest that wanted it. Never saw him pussyfoot about like that and talk like a woman while doing it.

[@snowcrane3337]

Exactly