Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa)
Place observed
Miller Marsh
Description
The Great Gray Owl is the largest owl in North America. Measuring between 60 and 83 cm in height, its generous plumage is a major reason for its impressive size and appearance. Its enormous head (without egrets) features two large facial disks, with yellow eyes in the center.
Habitat
This rare species is also known as the Barred Owl. It thrives in the cold climates of North America and Eurasia. During the summer, it frequents very northern latitudes and migrates further south for the winter. This is the period during which it becomes possible to observe them in our regions. In Rosemère, it has been observed at Marais Miller.
It likes to make its home in coniferous forests, wooded peat bogs and marshes, and during the winter it frequents forests or woodlands near open areas such as fields and meadows.
Diet
Dusk and night are its preferred hunting periods. It perches in a tree at the edge of a forest, using its keen eyesight and acute hearing to keep an eye out for small rodents, especially voles. Its senses enable it to spot prey buried under a blanket of snow more than 20 cm deep!
Breeding
The breeding season takes place from March to May, and to nest, it re-uses the nests of other large birds. The female lays an average of 3 or 4 eggs, then stays in the nest to ensure their safety. The male hunts and provides food. At around 4 to 6 weeks of age, the young birds take to the air for the first time. They then stay with their parents for a few more weeks, helping them to meet their food requirements.
Status and threats
The status of this species varies from territory to territory. In Quebec, it is currently considered to be of "minor concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, as it is rarely observed, it seems difficult to establish what its population numbers are.
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