1.--.24 Great Horned Owl, Chicago, IL

We went to visit this Great Horned Owl twice. We found out he is part of a mating pair who have been seen since November 2023 in the area. We did not know if they were siblings or mates. We learned from someone who had been in contact with local experts that they are most likely a mating pair and the female GHO was hidden in its nest. We met several people who have been looking out for these birds. We are very grateful to have learned this as we were worried that this GHO had lost a sibling. There are so many ways for Owls to get hurt or killed in the city (we have heard of owls being shaken from trees by people, seen pictures of them caught and drowning from discarded fishing line, dying from eating poisoned rats, etc.). We learned days before our visit, someone was flying a drone near these owls, which could have injured them and was almost certainly was distressing.

We are always mindful not to disturb birds (especially Owls and other birds of prey.) In this case, the male was hyper vigilant looking out for dangers including a murder of crows flying around that we learned had previously been harassing them. He was awake in the morning and afternoon the day before when we visited. Great Horned owls usually sleep during the day. We spent most of our time at a great distance and took photos from afar. One of the people we met (who told us about the drone and that this is likely the male owl) reminded us to keep our distance and we discussed how getting too close can stress these animals. People often disrupt their sleep during the day and that can have adverse effect on their ability to hunt at night. This pair is in a heavily populated area near busy streets and a dog park.

We hope that these magnificent birds will be able to successfully raise a clutch. We heard that the other GHO's we saw in the suburbs lost their chicks due to the stresses of too many people disturbing their nesting tree. If you visit these or other owls, please keep your distance and ask that others do the same.

--Written by Ima and her family