Where Nature Meets Culture—Plus Wildfire, Dogs, Environmental News, and Writing with a Southern Rockies Perspective.
November 02, 2009
Mystery Nest
M. found this nest under a large juniper tree in the woods not far from our house. You see see its size, and the egg-cup area extends from about 5 to the 9-inch mark on the ruler.
Though Great Horned Owls often use old Red-tailed Hawk nests, Red-tailed Hawks build their nests of sticks and twigs. The Great Horned Owls I have seen nesting in trees were in nests composed of large sticks and twigs. That said, most birds including owls and hawks line their nests with finer and softer material than the nest structure. Birds of North America online states, "Lining may include strips of bark, fresh green conifer, or deciduous sprigs, corn cobs, husks, stalks, aspen catkins, and other similar items." However birds will use what is locally available so it is possible that this might be the lining of a Red-tailed Hawks nest.
5 comments:
Owl.
I wondered about that. I have heard great horned owls calling from that part of the ridge.
Great Horneds usually use other's nests-- crow, Hawk. I'll dig around in the library...
Though Great Horned Owls often use old Red-tailed Hawk nests, Red-tailed Hawks build their nests of sticks and twigs. The Great Horned Owls I have seen nesting in trees were in nests composed of large sticks and twigs. That said, most birds including owls and hawks line their nests with finer and softer material than the nest structure. Birds of North America online states, "Lining may include strips of bark, fresh green conifer, or deciduous sprigs, corn cobs, husks, stalks, aspen catkins, and other similar items." However birds will use what is locally available so it is possible that this might be the lining of a Red-tailed Hawks nest.
Thanks for your input, SeEtta. So perhaps we need to go back and look for the rest of the nest?!
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