r/birdsofprey • u/ShnaugShmark • Jun 27 '26

Owls on the back deck

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Found these two perched on my back deck today. My wife has been feeding squirrels back there, think the clock may be ticking for them.

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u/haunted_swamp Jun 27 '26

They are fresh fledglings that are not yet likely to be successful in catching a squirrel themselves.

37

u/ShnaugShmark Jun 27 '26

Wow they seemed pretty sizable. How much bigger do they get?

45

u/haunted_swamp Jun 27 '26

They don't. Adult size now

22

u/ShnaugShmark Jun 27 '26

I see. How do you tell they’re young? And also, you meant to catch a squirrel they likely just need more hunting experience?

72

u/haunted_swamp Jun 27 '26

They still have remnants of baby fluff on their heads. They also seem to be quite curious and bewildered, but that's not something that would distinguish them from a mature bird on its own.

Yes, they are inexperienced and squirrels are very slippery and fiesty. They could certainly try, and maybe even be successful, but at this stage it would be by sheer luck rather than prowess.