Winter is the season for the natural world to sleep in silence–except for owls, of course. Owl calls are heard louder and more frequently in the winter than any other season.
Since owls mate and nest in the winter, they ramp up their hoots to attract a mate and defend their territory. Besides courting and staking claim, owl hoots may be heard louder in the winter because deciduous trees stand bare, allowing sound to pass through their branches clearly compared to the muffling dense thickets of warm seasons.
Owls nest during these cold months. The mother owl “broods” or sits on her young, just enough to insulate them while the father hunts. The mother will break down the prey and feed her babies.
When the young are old enough to regulate their own body temperature, the mother goes out to hunt as well. Baby owls leave the nest after 4-8 weeks.
A total of eight owl species reside in Pennsylvania, including the Barn Owl, Barred Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl, Great Horned Owl, Long-Eared Owl, Northern Saw-Whet Owl, Short-Eared Owl, and Snowy Owl (seasonally).
Many birds migrate south for their winter retreat, but owls stay local. Our native owls are well adapted for cold Pennsylvania winters, as their feathers provide excellent insulation to keep them warm.
Some owls’ feet are covered in feathers to the tips of their toes like little socks that keep them toasty. One such owl with feathery feet is my personal favorite, Eastern Screech-Owl. Its hoot is akin to a horse whinny.
Are you listening for hoots this winter? Curious to know how to distinguish what kind of owl you are hearing? Join the Schuylkill County Conservancy’s “Owls Hooting in Frog Hollow” walk this Saturday, January 11, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Frog Hollow County Park. More information can be found on their page at Schuylkill County Conservancy.
About the author: “Hemlock” Hannah Kulbitsky is the full time Environmental Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Schuylkill Conservation District. She provides environmental programs to the public and handles outreach like the district social media. Hannah is a Skook native and holds a double B.A. in Sustainability Studies and Theater from Muhlenberg College.
Follow the Schuylkill Conservation District @schuylkillcd on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more, and go to schuylkillcd.com for our seasonal newsletter.
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