Megloops (can I garden yet?)
Great Gray Owl - Strix nebulosa - 2 of 4
Great Gray Owl - Strix nebulosa2 of 4
The owl in the rear is "standing tall" trying to make itself invisible and blend into the spruce tree. While this image does not show the surroundings well, the owl was actually succeeding quite well.
The owl in the front has turned its head and is focusing its facial discs and eyes on a deer mouse. Its body is much more round as its focus is not on hiding from people but on eating!
So - which one is female?
Whooo knows!
The Great Gray Owl expresses very little sexual dimorphism (differences); however, the female is larger. This is always hard to tell in the field as you need 2 owls to know which one is bigger (and hope that you get separate sexes!).
These owls are photographed in captivity (they have broken wings). Even in captivity it is difficult.
So I can not tell you their sexes!
While Great Gray Owls are not considered an endangered species. there is great concern about the loss of the Boreal Forest (their home):
Hinterland's Who's Who Boreal Forest:
www.borealforest.org/world.htm
atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/learningresources/theme_mo...
Photo taken at the BC Wildlife Park, Kamloops, BC, Canada:
Great Gray Owl - Strix nebulosa - 2 of 4
Great Gray Owl - Strix nebulosa2 of 4
The owl in the rear is "standing tall" trying to make itself invisible and blend into the spruce tree. While this image does not show the surroundings well, the owl was actually succeeding quite well.
The owl in the front has turned its head and is focusing its facial discs and eyes on a deer mouse. Its body is much more round as its focus is not on hiding from people but on eating!
So - which one is female?
Whooo knows!
The Great Gray Owl expresses very little sexual dimorphism (differences); however, the female is larger. This is always hard to tell in the field as you need 2 owls to know which one is bigger (and hope that you get separate sexes!).
These owls are photographed in captivity (they have broken wings). Even in captivity it is difficult.
So I can not tell you their sexes!
While Great Gray Owls are not considered an endangered species. there is great concern about the loss of the Boreal Forest (their home):
Hinterland's Who's Who Boreal Forest:
www.borealforest.org/world.htm
atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/learningresources/theme_mo...
Photo taken at the BC Wildlife Park, Kamloops, BC, Canada: