An Owls last flight

Birds are fascinating creatures. The way they fly, hover, dart, swoop, dive, nest and perch. Their distinctive markings, chirps, hoo’s and calls. There is practically no end to the time an avid bird-watcher like myself can spend studying and observing the plethora of birds that grace this great Valley and State. Late one windy night a short time back as I was traveling past Pepperidge Farm in my company’s box truck, I watched as a rather large bird got caught in a wind current that caused the bird to fly an erratically loopy route straight for my truck. It was one of those slow motion moments, one where I knew I wouldn’t be able to swerve in time(even if I tried), as it did end up smacking into the box above the cab of my truck, breaking it’s neck and killing it instantly. I was a little surprised and saddened when I got the bird picked up and discovered that it was a Great-Horned Owl. I found it ironic that the first time I ever got to officially “spot” one of these very difficult to spot and magnificent nocturnal creatures, was one that I killed. However (looking at the positives), I was able to do what no other bird-watcher ever gets to do, and that was to observe the bird up close before I gave the poor soul a proper burial. (Just for your information: Hunting these birds is illegal. It’s even illegal for a taxidermist to stuff this particular bird. I checked to make sure.) After burying the Owl, I decided I wanted to research it further. I discovered some interesting facts about this bird that I have compiled from various website’s that I will share here: -The most widespread and common Owl in North America. -The only animal that regularly eats skunks (I have noticed an increase of dead skunks along that highway lately. Without the owl there to take them out, it comes as no surprise to me). - A regular victim of harassment from flocks of American crows, as it is one of the crows biggest predators (I’ve seen crows harass Red-tailed hawks as well. It is rather amusing and humorous to watch). - Has a very poor sense of smell (quite instrumental in enabling them to take down toxic skunks). - It doesn’t make it’s own nest as it typically takes o ver nests made by other birds. - It’s “horns” are neither ears nor horns, simply tufts of feathers (It kind of makes this owl look like a cat). -These birds have 500 pounds per square inch of crushing power in their talons. An average adult human male can crush about 60 pounds per square inch. - Has been known to take down small dogs, cats, and even birds as big as the Great Blue Heron. - They don’t migrate. They’re very protective of their nests (even being known to attack humans who get too close to it), and are territorial birds with their only natural enemy being other Great Horned Owls. - Their right ear is typically set higher in the skull and at a slightly different angle than their left ear. By tilting or turning its head until the sound is the same in each ear, they can pinpoint both the horizontal and vertical direction of a sound. After I found out these birds were abundant, it certainly was relieving. I have gained a great deal of respect for this particular breed of bird upon learning more about it, as I have used this article to pay tribute to this magnificent skunk-ridder. If ever there is an option to change the state bird from the blight-ful joke of a state bird: The California Gull (that we currently have carrying the title), to something else, I think that the Great Horned Owl would be a perfect replacement.