this post was submitted on 04 Nov 2023
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For owls that are superb.

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The Northern Hawk Owl was popular in the other thread today, so I thought I'd give you some more.

Perch hunting lets owls use their sight and hearing to find food. This saves a lot of energy, and also body heat when it is cold.

Owl hears a vole hidden under the snow. Asymmetrical ears help them locate prey precisely, even when it is hidden. Owl launches into a dive.

Victory goes to the owl!

Photos by David Burt

More owls and other animals on his Flickr.

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[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 17 points 10 months ago
[–] scetron@lemm.ee 15 points 10 months ago (1 children)

These are awesome pictures, but I’m getting strong ‘rest of the owl’ vibes from this.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 10 points 10 months ago (1 children)

If you want the whole thing, I can certainly provide it! Not the same owl, but a reasonable facsimile.

I generally don't put prey stuff up for people that don't want to see it. They are adorable to us, but to most other living things, owls are a vicious apex predator. Even animals that don't get messed with by anyone like skunks and porcupines actively avoid owls specifically. Heck, owls will even kill other owls.

Beautifully shot video though, so check it out if you want to see the Hawk Owl get takeout.

CONTENT WARNING: Hawk Owl catching and eating a live rodent

Hawk Owl Hunting

[–] scetron@lemm.ee 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Many thanks for this enlightening video.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

Of course! I'm all for learning about all the gory details, since it's part of the whole package. I just want to keep it fun and upbeat for everybody.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 13 points 10 months ago
[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 12 points 10 months ago
[–] tetris11@lemmy.ml 8 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Step 1. Be vertical
Step 2. Do not be not vertical
Step 3. ??
Step 4. Profit

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

I put Step 3 in another reply if you want to see it.

Some people might not like that part, so I left it out.

[–] Maruki_Hurakami@lemm.ee 6 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I love the second picture. So cool!

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 6 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Yes! The one of it all puffed up was the one I originally clicked on, but then when I saw him looking like he fell out of the tree, I knew it was one I had to post!

I like the hawk owls. They have the head of the Pygmy and burrow owls, but the body of the larger owls. Best of both worlds 😄

[–] ignotum@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Could you please provide some more details? Somewhere between step 2 and 3 i hit the ground head first, i assume there's something i'm missing

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

It puts its feet out is pretty much all you miss. You don't see much because it's under the snow.

CONTENT WARNING: Hawk Owl catching and eating a live rodent

Hawk Owl Hunting