Owl’s breeding time

It is breeding season for the spotted eagle owl in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg.

A spotted eagle owlet was found by concerned resident of Linden, Dawn Wyndaard on 29 October.

Wyndaard helped the owlet by placing it in a large cat box on her balcony where the parents can still feed it.On the same day, Larry Wigoder found a dead spotted eagle owl in Blairgowrie.

The owl had been visiting his garden for the past six months until he found it lying dead on the ground.

Wigoder suspected it had eaten a poisoned rodent.

While their intentions were good, the procedure was wrong, according to FreeMe Rehabilitation Centre in Bryanston and the EcoSolutions Owl Box Project. They ask the community to consider the biology of this creature when deciding whether to rescue an owl or what to do when an owl carcass is found.

Jonathan Haw of EcoSolutions Owl Box Project lays out some useful information regarding the spotted eagle owl.

“[The owls] mainly prey on insects and rats. Breeding season is triggered by the shortest day of the year and this change in the photo period alters their hormonal make up and increased calling and copulation begins shortly thereafter,” said Haw.

“In pristine areas, spotted eagle owl would actually choose to breed on the ground, but with the threat of dogs; lawnmowers and people, many of these owls have taken to the trees,” says Haw.

He further adds, ”as soon as the owlets begin to fledge they will head out of the box and take cover behind bushes and in rockeries while developing their hunting and flying abilities. The parents continue to feed them during this time and they are extremely wellcamouflaged.

“If you find an owl or know of one in need of help, contact the FreeMe Rehabilitation centre, EcoSolutions Owl Box Project or the NSPCA. Details: FreeMe 0118076993.