From Harry Collins
Going all the way back to 2016 for this encounter between a squirrel checking out a nesting great horned owl. The squirrel was actually nesting in the same tree right above the owl.
From Harry Collins
Going all the way back to 2016 for this encounter between a squirrel checking out a nesting great horned owl. The squirrel was actually nesting in the same tree right above the owl.
That’s actually a pretty amazing photo, especially considering that the owl could just as easily get hungry and eat the squirrel neighbor…
She looks to be kindly telling the squirrel he’s at the wrong hole and he best be moving along.
That’s the face they make when they hiss at me to keep my distance at least. 😅
The squirrels can actually be a danger to owls as well though, so it’s not as one sided as it may look. Squirrels will kill chicks or eat eggs, or even injure some smaller owls.
Huh, very interesting, I didn’t know that.
The owl doesn’t have the element of surprise, and is in an unfavorable position to attack the squirrel. The squirrel would easily run away
Another interesting thing is with owl digestion, since they swallow prey whole, they have to expel a pellet to rid their stomach of the leftover solids from previous meals. If she’s full right now, she won’t be able to eat it anyway.
Owls will also cache food for nesting season so there is a ready supply for the babies and momma herself, since she can’t leave the nest to hunt. So hopefully she has a nice, full belly right now and doesn’t need to be bothered with making a snack of the squirrel.
If Mr. Owl sees him though, he may end up in the pantry. His job is to keep their reserves well stocked!