Late-July Owl Update

Given that we have yet to have a single night’s banding total hit double-digits, the nights have remained surprisingly steady. Over the past week we banded 38 Northern Saw-whet Owls (NSWO) and three Long-eared Owls (LEOW). Of the 38 NSWO, 34 were juveniles and four were adults. We know that some of our followers are new to the owl banding at Whitefish Point and may not be familiar with the difference between adult and juvenile saw-whets. For the first three months or so, NSWO look very different than they will for the remainder of their lives. Below is a composite photo with an adult on the left and a juvenile on the right. The juveniles surpassed the adults this week, with the summer’s NSWO banding total now at 76 juveniles and 62 adults.

The adult plumage (left), and juvenile plumage (right) of a Northern Saw-whet Owl.

Over the course of the summer season we have the unique opportunity to see the juveniles as they start their molt into adult plumage. In early July they are typically just starting their molt, or in full juvenile plumage. At this time of year we start to see some individuals that are further along in this molt. Below is a juvenile from this week that had more of its adult facial disc feathers than the others we have seen so far this season.

A juvenile saw-whet molting in its adult facial disc feathers.

The season’s four Long-eared Owls have all been adults. At this time of year the adult LEOW are often not only replacing their body feathers, but also starting to replace their flight feathers, which are the main feathers in the wing and are the most important feathers for giving them flight. In the photo below you can see the big uneven “step” along the bottom, or trailing edge of the wing. That “step” is there because it has dropped two feathers in the middle of its wing, the two innermost primary flight feathers.

A Long-eared Owl starting its annual replacement of its primary flight feathers.

Nature Notes: Here are a few of our favorite visitors during National Moth Week.

Sweetfern Underwing

A late Luna Moth that decided I was its favorite perch.

Green Arches blending in wonderfully with the bark and lichen on a Jack Pine.