Give a Hoot

The great horned owl couple is hooting up a storm this spring.  I hope to not see one of their young on the side of the road this year.  Though I'm heartened to learn that they usually have more than one baby (thanks to the couple in Savannah, Georgia, stars of Cornell Lab's owl cam).

The first year I came here there was one male hooting.  When he stopped hooting, I was anxious - did he leave?  was he killed?  is it a he or a she?  would someone else move in?  After a summer of worrying, one day his hoot was back.  And then a responding hoot.  And the worrying started again - is this a rival?  will he be driven off?  or is this a mate?

I learned (again thanks to Cornell Lab's bird audio library) that the male's sound is lower than the female's.  With two birds, I was able to know that my original bird was a male, and he had attracted a female.  Her call is not only higher, but more complex, with a triplet thrown in.

Over the four years I've been here, I've learned not to worry when I don't hear a hoot.  That there are seasons to their hooting.  And I've learned to trust (take for granted?) that the hooting will return.  I hope they find this place good hunting ground for many years to come.  And I hope they make more babies, who can also find good hunting grounds - with a human who enjoys their hoots.