Owls

Fay
- April 21, 2008

I spotted a large owl (not sure which kind) in a large oak tree a while back. It was eyeing the three foster kittens that I had allowed to venture out into the yard for some play time.

I was wondering if the owl was seeing the kittens as prey? I was told to be careful that owls sometimes swoop down and capture small animals including cats and small dogs.

What are your thoughts about this?

Dear Fay

Was it an owl you spotted or an owl that was spotted you saw?  You said you didn't know which.  If the large owl looked like his breast was spotted with dark spots, he or she may have been a Barred owl.  If the large dark gray/tan owl you saw had 2-3 inch ear tufts or horns, he or she may have been a Great Horned owl.  Both of these might take advantage of free small kittens, especially during the owl's nesting season.

The larger and more capable Horned owl will take anything they can fly off with.  Rabbits, squirrels, small chickens, puppies, cats and kittens and the list goes on.

I was never one to encourage anyone to teach their cats that it's OK to go outside unless it's on a screen porch.  That way there's no chance of them becoming prey to the natural world.  It's one of those things that each cat owner can do to help make nature a healthier place.

It's a dilemma, a hard choice to make but one we need to consider especially in the spring and early summer when there's so many fledgling birds on the ground.

Let me know if you get a better look at that owl, be sure to note it's size and voice, if you hear one.

Naturally yours,

Dan