Owls of Central Oregon
By Cindy Murray, Friends and Neighbors of the Deschutes Canyon Area  ​
Can you guess my name?
(answers below)
1.   I am quite distinguished with my large size and beautiful big ear tufts. My face is a tawny orange color and if you can find me at night on my hunting rounds, you will notice my piercing yellow eyes. My incredibly soft feathers let me fly very quietly until I let out a few hoots! The ideal dinner might be a squirrel, small rabbit and a duck would do nicely. You will often see me hunting at night in the forest or fields where mice play. I like to roost in trees or snags even ledges or your shed. Three pounds is my weight and I stand about 22 inches tall. I’m sure you know my name! ​
2.   I may not be the largest owl in the forest but I have something unique that sets me apart! A pair of large spots on the back of my neck to make my enemies think I am watching every move they make. My size is quite diminutive and I weigh a very trim 2-1/2 ounces. My feathers are dark brown with streaks on my belly and I even have a spotted crown and white eyebrows. I love to hunt songbirds, but will settle for voles, insects or a small snake. Unlike most of my friends, I only like to hunt during the day. If you look carefully, you might even find my cache of stored dinners tucked away in tree cavity. Care to guess my name?
3    You might describe me as a bit stocky weighing in at about five ounces. My feathers are mostly brownish to grayish with a streaky pattern that disguises my presence in trees. Sometimes I sit in a tree cavity with my eyes closed but I know you’re there. I can turn my head almost 360 degrees to watch for danger. I prefer to use a woodpecker’s tree hole to raise my chicks. My dinners can be anything because I love variety. You might find me dining on worms, crayfish, insects and mice too. I am quite comfortable in the forest or the high desert of Central Oregon. Night time is my favorite time to hunt. Try to guess my name.
4.    My name has quite a flamboyant sound and I am the smallest owl you probably will never see! I barely weigh 1.9 ounces. Humans think I really am quite cute. Ponderosa pines are where I live and I like to hunt in more open spaces for nice juicy insects. In winter, you will find me in Mexico! I hope you guessed my name.
​Owl names:
 
  1. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
  2. Northern Pygmy-Owl (Glaucidium gnoma)
  3. Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii)
  4. Flammulated Owl (Psiloscops flammeolus)