Surnia
ulula
A
largely diurnal bird flying witih rapid wingbeats and open-winged
glides; often hovering, perching in exposed sites such as a
treetop or a post, inhabiting open boreal coniferous forest
with clearings and moors in lowlands or mountains through Eurasia,
North America and Alaska.
The
Northern Hawk Owl hunts mainly for small mammals such as lemmings
and voles, but also catches birds, frogs and small occasionally
fish below 70g in weight. Hunts by searching from a lookout,
then quickly flying to swoop down on prey.
The
male finds good potential nest sites and the females choose
one, usually in cavities in the top of a broken trunk, or in
abandoned woodpecker holes. Laying 5-13 eggs in April and May,
at 1-2 days intervals, incubated by the female. The young leave
the nest at 23-30 days, and fly well by 6 weeks old. They
become independent of their parent's care towards the end of
August and are sexually mature towards the end of their first
year. Pairs are monogamous during breeding season.
Clovis
was hatched in April 2009, and came as a fluff kid at 5 weeks
of age. He showed signs of poor health to start but after treatment
hiis health has improved amazingly and is now one of the stars
of the Owl Show. He is a great little character, diving fast
and vertical from the beams - he just has to be seen to be believed!
