The two Great Horned Owls who have claimed Arizona's Big Wash as their territory are now calling back and forth nightly. It's a soothing pleasant 'hooting' sound, likely originating from our rooftop.
Eavesdropping into these flirtations is unavoidable at 3AM.
(Hear various Great Horned Owl calls at:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Horned_Owl/sounds
During the daylight they rest.
Walking in the Big Wash, I come across this pair quite often. I've seen them here since May, 2014 on the same cliff raising their broods.
I'm not sure they recognize me, but they don't seem to mind my presence. The only reaction I receive walking by is a slight turn of a head or an occasional blink.
I don't know their plans for this nesting season because monsoon rains and erosion has changed the cliff face. Their former burrow/hole has been washed away.
(Click any picture to enlarge)
The female dozes.
They are stunning looking birds with the talons to do great harm to anyone threatening them.
Being largely ignored at this point is a good thing.
I'm convinced I am not upsetting her being this close.
She landed in our backyard tree in October 2019. She only glanced at me occasionally as she rested ten feet overhead in our desert willow tree.
I could have reached up and touched her tail, but I'm not crazy.
Allan
Credits:
Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds
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