Owl Prowl
Who cooks for you? is not just a question you might ask a friend.
It is actually how you call for a specific species of owl.
There are about 250 species of owls in the world and they live on every continent, except Antarctica. Therefore, we all are sharing spaces with owls & need to learn about them and appreciate them, even though we don't often encounter them because they are nocturnal.
Thank you Heidi Pruess for sharing your Barred Owl photographs!
What owls are local to you?
Barred Owls are one type that may be inhabiting your neighborhood. They are often found in forested areas with water nearby and can be found near backyards, parks and woodlands.
How to encourage a visit from a Barred Owl:
Locate a space that has woods and water nearby
Go outside at dusk
Keep the area dark and dim or turn off flashlights
Play a recording of a Barred Owl or make your own Barred Owl call--Simply use a low voice to say "Who cooks for you-who cooks for you all"
Stay quiet and wait for a response
Continue the back and forth calling and watch for the Barred Owl, they have silent wings so you will probably not hear it fly in
Owl Pellets
If you haven't had the opportunity to see an owl in the wild but you have heard them in your neighborhood or nearby you might find a clue that an owl has been in your neighborhood- owl pellets!
Owls, being birds of prey, eat birds, rodents & insects. The owl's stomach can’t digest fur, bones, teeth, or exoskeletons- so they are spit up by the owl in a tight pellet.
An owl pellet is usually about the size of an adult thumb and appears whitish and furry.
The best place to search for an owl pellet is under trees since that is where the owl most likely ate its prey.
A really fun activity is to dissect an owl pellet. Become a detective and try to figure out what the owl ate by examining the owl pellet.
It’s like a scientific puzzle- learners will use their fine motor skills for dissecting and bone handling and their brains for bone identifying and sorting!
Interested in dissecting your own owl pellets?
Be sure to follow these safety guidelines to have a fun and safe experience with your kiddos!
Amazon has owl pellet kits that include multiple owl pellets, dissection tools (tooth pick and tweezers), and even bone identification guides!
