Whoooo? You! - Maree

“A wise old owl sat on an oak;
The more he saw the less he spoke;
The less he spoke the more he heard;
Why aren't we like that wise old bird?”
- Unknown

Had a visit from the Spotted Eagle Owl last night. It's full moon and it was beautifully bright outside. When I heard him I softly crept into the garden and spotted him sitting in one of the trees. I just love talking to him and he talks right back! When he goes Whoo Wh-o-o-o! and I mimic it, he immediately replies with another Whoo Wh-o-o-o-o! I even had him following me around the corner of the house, wanting to see WHO this intruder is that dares to challenge his territory! The female was also close-by, I could hear her Whoo Whoo - Wh-o-o-o-o! but didn't catch a glimpse of her.

It's nice to know that they are still around and hopefully catching the rats, which I struggle to keep under control because I refuse to put down rat poison. However, I did hear that there's a product on the market now that is more humane on the rats and also safe as far as pets and owls go.

This Owl is a medium to large owl with prominent ear tufts, its height is 45cm and its weight is from 480 to 850g. The wingspan is 33cm. They are nocturnal hunters, and spend most of the day concealed in trees, rock ledges or abandoned burrows.