Photo by Baba-Vulic Aleksandar

A northern harrier catches up to a short-earred owl, knocks the small rodent (vole) she was carrying out of her grasp, and catches it’s rapidly descending prize before it meets the ground. Harrier has been known to steal a vole froma short- eared owl in mid-air. This is an example of kleptoparasitism, which is when one bird steals another’s food.

That vole can’t catch a break! 😮

You are viewing a single thread.
View all comments View context
4 points

There are many reasons raptors are but typically social creatures, and this is a prime example.

Whoever brings home the calories lives to see another day!

permalink
report
parent
reply
2 points

It’s a bird eat bird vole world out there man

permalink
report
parent
reply
1 point

They’re just fluffier dinosaurs!

permalink
report
parent
reply

Superbowl

!superbowl@lemmy.world

Create post

For owls that are superb.

US Wild Animal Rescue Database: Animal Help Now

International Wildlife Rescues: RescueShelter.com

Australia Rescue Help: WIRES

Germany-Austria-Switzerland-Italy Wild Bird Rescue: wildvogelhilfe.org

If you find an injured owl:

Note your exact location so the owl can be released back where it came from. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitation specialist to get correct advice and immediate assistance.

Minimize stress for the owl. If you can catch it, toss a towel or sweater over it and get it in a cardboard box or pet carrier. It should have room to be comfortable but not so much it can panic and injure itself. If you can’t catch it, keep people and animals away until help can come.

Do not give food or water! If you feed them the wrong thing or give them water improperly, you can accidentally kill them. It can also cause problems if they require anesthesia once help arrives, complicating procedures and costing valuable time.

If it is a baby owl, and it looks safe and uninjured, leave it be. Time on the ground is part of their growing up. They can fly to some extent and climb trees. If animals or people are nearby, put it up on a branch so it’s safe. If it’s injured, follow the above advice.

For more detailed help, see the OwlPages Rescue page.

Community stats

  • 1.6K

    Monthly active users

  • 1.5K

    Posts

  • 11K

    Comments