ML603509151
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age and sex
- Juvenile, Unknown sex - 1
- Sounds
- Call
- Playback
- Not specified
Media notes
Juvenile begging call.
Observation details
I was standing at my usual lookout post at the Everglades, under the shade of a medium-sized walnut tree, when I heard a loud GHO begging call coming from my leafy umbrella. The owl must have been present when I arrived. It remained silent until this call. I didn't see the owl until it flew to an ash tree on the north levee. The attached photograph and recording go together. The owl has prominent ear tufts / horns, but I think it must be a juvenile based on the calls. Recall that 2x juveniles fledged from the Fish & Game GHO nest in mid-May. I am surprised that they are still making begging calls three months after fledge. _____________________________________________________ Postscript added on August 15 Q&A between me and Karla Bloem, Executive Director of the International Owl Center: Me: I came across a page on your website that describes GHO vocalizations, including the juvenile begging call. I have been hearing this call often in Merced, CA. Today I got a picture of the owl making the sound. JPG and WAV file attached. I am a bit confused because this owl has well developed horns — it might still be a juvenile, but it looks more like an adult. When do juveniles stop making this call? Do adults ever make a similar call? Ms. Bloem: This is indeed a juvenile Great Horned Owl. Pretty much grown up, but a bit scruffy around the head yet since the adult feathers aren’t quite all fully grown yet. They can keep up this juvenile begging call well into fall, and a few persist into winter. Adults can and do make a similar squawk, but it is deeper and more “mature” sounding, and although it can go on for a while, it isn’t eternal like juveniles sometimes are (for hours on end, driving people crazy!)
Technical information
- Recorder
- Microphone
- Accessories
- Original file size
- 1.55 MB