Posted by Rob Howard on January 14, 2007 at 6:31 PM
Hi Guys,
Not really posted this for critique more for ID purposes.
This is the Owl that is roosting in my box, I think this may be a female due to the dark chin strap, but when I crop into the Owl I can't see the buff Orange around the kneck so not sure. Just wondering if any of you guys could spread some light on what sex it is
Regards
Rob
Posted by Ian McGuire on January 15, 2007 at 4:42 AM
Morning Rob
Nice to see at least one wild barn owl is surviving this wet winter.
Colours suggest female, but proportions hint at a male so I think I'll leave this one to Vince!
Ian
Posted by Vincent Jones on January 15, 2007 at 8:45 AM
Hi Rob, I also echo Ian's comments regarding possible sex, not just because of the dark chin strap as males can have that to.
Can you upload a cropped in shot of the image, also do you have a shot you can upload showing the chest or under-wingparts, if freckles are visible on the whites then this would point to a female. If you can also get a shot of the side or back of the bird then the darker plumage would again point to female. males are predominately paler.
If was to guess I would say that this is a female.
Yesterday at a particular project site I work on, I was very pleased to see 5 separate Barn Owls out hunting, very pleasing especially after the horrendous weather conditions they have encountered, checking the pellets at different locations at the site it showed they have been feeding very well indeed. Again brilliant news!!
Good luck with the nest box site, lets hope these birds have a better breeding success than last year.
Ian, it would be good to meet up with you this year if possible.
Vince
Posted by Rob Howard on January 15, 2007 at 9:40 AM
Hi Guys,
Here are a couple of cropped shots.
Regards
Rob
Posted by Rob Howard on January 15, 2007 at 9:40 AM
and the other............
Posted by Vincent Jones on January 15, 2007 at 12:06 PM
Hi Rob, now you have posted this shot with the Owl sat on the fence I am now turned to say it's a male, this is purely down to the paleness of its back plumage. If you get any more shots of this beauty please post them here as a follow up. The dark ring around the facial disk can be found on both sexes & this can cause confusion.
If you have both birds present & you are lucky enough to see both of them in flight, look at the top barring on the Owls wings & tail, in flight & with the backs facing you, you should find that the heaverly barring is the female, the paler barring would be the male.
Subject to the revision of nature that is lol.
I hope this is of help.
Vince
Posted by Ian McGuire on January 15, 2007 at 1:57 PM
Vince
I tend to agree with you that it's a male - it looks paler in these shots and, taking a fresh look at my female barn owl this morning, just doesn't have the same proportions.
I will contact you in the next few months and look forward to meeting you.
Ian
Posted by Rob Howard on January 15, 2007 at 2:12 PM
Hi Guys,
Thanks for your help. The shots of him/her on the box were taken in the shade whilst the ones on the post were in the sun, just to add to the confusion!!
The guy who I help with the Barn Owl box project saw the images last night and leant toward a female.
I think until I see two together it may be a bit difficult, I remember from last summer watching a pair. I thought one looked light until I saw the other one and there was no mistaking the difference in colour.
Thank you both for your help and I really hope this bird makes it through the winter( I have seen it hunting and eating well) and has a successful brood in the box.
I will post images as when I get them. I was over there this evening but the Owl did'nt come out onto the ledge until it was way to dark for photo's, but it went to the same post's it went to last night, so I'm just really trying to learn it's routine at the moment.
Discussion
7 repliesNot really posted this for critique more for ID purposes.
This is the Owl that is roosting in my box, I think this may be a female due to the dark chin strap, but when I crop into the Owl I can't see the buff Orange around the kneck so not sure. Just wondering if any of you guys could spread some light on what sex it is
Regards
Rob
Nice to see at least one wild barn owl is surviving this wet winter.
Colours suggest female, but proportions hint at a male so I think I'll leave this one to Vince!
Ian
Can you upload a cropped in shot of the image, also do you have a shot you can upload showing the chest or under-wingparts, if freckles are visible on the whites then this would point to a female. If you can also get a shot of the side or back of the bird then the darker plumage would again point to female. males are predominately paler.
If was to guess I would say that this is a female.
Yesterday at a particular project site I work on, I was very pleased to see 5 separate Barn Owls out hunting, very pleasing especially after the horrendous weather conditions they have encountered, checking the pellets at different locations at the site it showed they have been feeding very well indeed. Again brilliant news!!
Good luck with the nest box site, lets hope these birds have a better breeding success than last year.
Ian, it would be good to meet up with you this year if possible.
Vince
Here are a couple of cropped shots.
Regards
Rob
If you have both birds present & you are lucky enough to see both of them in flight, look at the top barring on the Owls wings & tail, in flight & with the backs facing you, you should find that the heaverly barring is the female, the paler barring would be the male.
Subject to the revision of nature that is lol.
I hope this is of help.
Vince
I tend to agree with you that it's a male - it looks paler in these shots and, taking a fresh look at my female barn owl this morning, just doesn't have the same proportions.
I will contact you in the next few months and look forward to meeting you.
Ian
Thanks for your help. The shots of him/her on the box were taken in the shade whilst the ones on the post were in the sun, just to add to the confusion!!
The guy who I help with the Barn Owl box project saw the images last night and leant toward a female.
I think until I see two together it may be a bit difficult, I remember from last summer watching a pair. I thought one looked light until I saw the other one and there was no mistaking the difference in colour.
Thank you both for your help and I really hope this bird makes it through the winter( I have seen it hunting and eating well) and has a successful brood in the box.
I will post images as when I get them. I was over there this evening but the Owl did'nt come out onto the ledge until it was way to dark for photo's, but it went to the same post's it went to last night, so I'm just really trying to learn it's routine at the moment.
Regards
Rob