{"id":12389,"date":"2019-02-18T06:30:14","date_gmt":"2019-02-18T11:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=12389"},"modified":"2019-02-15T18:10:09","modified_gmt":"2019-02-15T23:10:09","slug":"take-5-owl-things-considered","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-owl-things-considered\/","title":{"rendered":"Take 5: Owl Things Considered"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It may still be cold and wintery outside, but things are heating up for our breeding owl species<\/a>. Late winter is the height of the courtship and mating season for most owl species so there’s a good chance you may hear a “hoo’s hoo” of mating calls (although not all owls make “hoo” sounds<\/a>!) on your next stroll through the forest. Great Horned Owls, for example, are one of our earliest breeders and begin hooting to attract mates as early as December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many owls roost in tree cavities during the day and those that do will also lay their eggs in tree cavities, although a roosting cavity is not necessarily also a nesting cavity. Lots of nature photographers love to capitalize on this fact to capture some wonderful photos of “owl peek-a-boo”. Here are five great shots of owls in tree cavities that were entered into our annual photo contest<\/a>. For your own chance to glimpse one of these gorgeous raptors, join one of the dozens of Owl Prowls<\/a> happening at our sanctuaries this time of year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Eastern
Eastern Screech-Owls \u00a9 Peter Bartholomew<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Eastern
Eastern Screech-Owl \u00a9 Richard Cuzner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Barred
Barred Owls \u00a9 Fred Harwood<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Eastern
Eastern Screech-Owl \u00a9 Amy Powers-Smith<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Eastern
Eastern Screech-Owl \u00a9 Jeff Martineau<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It may still be cold and wintery outside, but things are heating up for our breeding owl species. Late winter is the height of the courtship and mating season for most owl species so there’s a good chance you may hear a “hoo’s hoo” of mating calls (although not all owls make “hoo” sounds!) on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":12394,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[158],"tags":[80,83,84,300],"class_list":["post-12389","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-take-5","tag-owls","tag-photo-contest","tag-photography","tag-tree-cavities"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/02\/2795Amy_PowersSmith11920.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-3dP","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":10408,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-great-horned-owls\/","url_meta":{"origin":12389,"position":0},"title":"Take 5: Great Horned Owls","author":"Ryan D.","date":"January 22, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Although great horned owls are year-round residents of Massachusetts, December through February is a particularly good time to go \"owling\" for this iconic species. The earliest owl to begin mating season, great horned owls often \"duet\" in courting pairs, a hauntingly beautiful, stuttering \"hoo-hoo-HOO-hoo-hoo\" sound. And while males are typically\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Great horned owl \u00a9 Phil Sorrentino","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/01\/604Phil_Sorrentino9714_1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/01\/604Phil_Sorrentino9714_1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/01\/604Phil_Sorrentino9714_1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13706,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-barred-owls\/","url_meta":{"origin":12389,"position":1},"title":"Take 5: Barred Owls","author":"Ryan D.","date":"March 23, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"\"Solemnity is what they express\u2014fit representatives of the night.\u201d\u2014Henry David Thoreau The shy but stocky Barred Owl does indeed cut a solemn figure, with its soulful, dark brown, almost black eyes and stripes of mottled brown and white crossing its body. Many nighttime travelers in the New England woods have\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Barred Owl \u00a9 Cynthia Rand","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/03\/6039Cynthia_Rand30889.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/03\/6039Cynthia_Rand30889.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/03\/6039Cynthia_Rand30889.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/03\/6039Cynthia_Rand30889.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8632,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/owling-101-how-to-spot-an-owl\/","url_meta":{"origin":12389,"position":2},"title":"Owling 101: How to Spot an Owl","author":"Ryan D.","date":"February 15, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"You may be surprised to learn that owls can be heard in most neighborhoods and backyards, even in Boston and the near suburbs. Since many owl species begin looking for mates in winter\u00a0and are at their most vocal this time of year, now is the perfect time to go \"owling\"\u2014looking\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Great Horned Owl","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/02\/Great-Horned-Owl1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/02\/Great-Horned-Owl1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/02\/Great-Horned-Owl1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/02\/Great-Horned-Owl1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15791,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-great-horned-owlets\/","url_meta":{"origin":12389,"position":3},"title":"Take 5: Great Horned Owlets","author":"Ryan D.","date":"May 24, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Great Horned Owls are one of the earliest birds to breed in Massachusetts, with courtship beginning as early as December. They are not cavity nesters, but use old Red-tailed Hawk or Great Blue Heron nests, often at the top of dead tree snags. With a little luck, you may be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Birds & Birding"","block_context":{"text":"Birds & Birding","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/birds-birding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Great Horned Owl \u00a9 John Harrison","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/717JOHN_HARRISON34601-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/717JOHN_HARRISON34601-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/717JOHN_HARRISON34601-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/717JOHN_HARRISON34601-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3374,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/can-these-animals-fool-you\/","url_meta":{"origin":12389,"position":4},"title":"Can These Animals Fool You?","author":"Rosemary","date":"March 31, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Many animals have particular patterns and colors that help them avoid predators. Some blend into the background or mimic an object like a leaf or twig, and some try to direct a predator\u2019s attention to a less vulnerable body part. Test your visual skills with these tricky creatures. American Woodcock\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/03\/fools_woodcock_credit_TomZack_ZackStock-Imaging.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/03\/fools_woodcock_credit_TomZack_ZackStock-Imaging.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/03\/fools_woodcock_credit_TomZack_ZackStock-Imaging.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5338,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/who-made-that-hole\/","url_meta":{"origin":12389,"position":5},"title":"Who Made That Hole?","author":"Rosemary","date":"May 20, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"As you stop to admire the new leaves on a tree this spring, you may notice holes carved in trunks and branches. Who made these cavities, and why? Smaller pits may be the work of insects, but most of the larger holes\u00a0were created by woodpeckers, either for feeding or nesting.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/05\/pileatednest.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/05\/pileatednest.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/05\/pileatednest.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12389","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/68"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12389"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12389\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12399,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12389\/revisions\/12399"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12394"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12389"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12389"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12389"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}