[TN-Bird] Barn Owl Predation

From: Evan Buck <evanbuck64@xxxxxxxxx>
To: TN-Bird <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2014 16:32:27 -0500

This morning I found a large patch of barn owl feathers under a tree branch
on the edge of my yard. I did not find a carcass, and a few feathers were
stuck on the branch. I have never had a barn owl on this property over the
several years I have been here, and I spend a lot of time outside, both day
and night. It is too bad to find evidence of one this way! My guess is that
a great horned owl caught the barn owl and plucked it on the tree branch. I
think it was most likely a young, inexperienced barn owl trying to find
a new territory. There is an old barn, a hay field, and some early
successional cover all within 1/4 mile of the site. It seems unlikely that
a mammalian predator would take prey up in a tree to eat it; there are not
other remains as would be likely if a mammal killed it. Does anyone think
otherwise, or have any other information on this topic? Two photos are
included below:

Here are some of the feathers:


Here is the sassafras branch (about 12 feet off the ground). Note the
feathers on the branch.


Thanks,

Evan Buck
Lincoln County

[TN-Bird] Barn Owl Predation

Other related posts: