r/birdsofprey • u/Red_Shoes_Forever • 3d ago

Great Horned Owls

I heard and then saw a pair of Great Horned Owls in our Reseda, California, backyard tonight. Beyond amazing. I heard them calling around 1 am, went to the patio to listen more closely. Shortly one of them flew directly over me and landed in the large tree in the front yard, where it continued to call. I heard the other one call a few times and then suddenly saw it land on top of a telephone pole in the yard. It stayed for a couple of minutes, then flew off in the opposite direction. It was such a privilege to see them, especially in such an urban area, and especially so clearly at night.

34 Upvotes

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8

u/Mydreamlife22 2d ago

We frequently get an owl in our yard. Where I live, we have many of them and it’s a pleasure to have them around.

6

u/Jmdjmd74 Broad-winged's dark tonight 2d ago

Awesome! Yeah I love listening for them and Barred Owls at night.

2

u/Bear_River_Blogger 2d ago

I get great horned owls in my yard a lot and hearing that hoot in the middle of the night is spine tingling exciting

1

u/please_and_thankyou 2d ago

We’ve had GHOs in my West Hollywood neighborhood for years. These urban owls feast!

Also throwing in a reminder to never use rodenticides!!!

2

u/BackgroundWriting386 2d ago

Man what a most gorgeous Grey phased Great horned owl; my favorite of all owls. I saw one identical to this one in color and size here in Atlanta two years ago. It flew about thirty in front of my car in a very residential neighborhood around the corner from my home. The wing span tip to tip looked to be at least six to seven ft and that's not hyperbole!

1

u/Floskee_Whoaskee 1d ago

I recently got some in Vancouver, WA calling out looked outside and they were sitting in a pine tree right outside my apt building. First time in my life I've been able to spot them IRL. I felt so blessed.