Great horned owls are typically nocturnal birds, meaning they are most active at night. However, it is not uncommon for them to be seen out and about during daylight hours as well. There are several reasons why a great horned owl may venture out when the sun is up.
Hunting
One of the main reasons great horned owls are sometimes active during the day is to hunt for food. As opportunistic predators, they will hunt whenever prey is available, regardless of the time of day. Some of the prey species great horned owls hunt, such as squirrels, rabbits, and birds, tend to be more active and available during the daytime.
Great horned owls have extremely sharp vision and hearing, allowing them to spot and capture prey even in bright daylight conditions. Their silent flight capabilities also aid their daytime hunting. If a great horned owl spots potential prey while roosting during the day, it may fly out in pursuit.
Feeding Nestlings
Great horned owls nest in late winter and early spring. The female typically lays 2-3 eggs which hatch after about a month of incubation. For the first few weeks after hatching, the nestlings are fed by both parents. To adequately feed the rapidly growing owlets, the adult owls may need to hunt during both day and night. The high energy demands of the owlets lead the parents to be more actively hunting whenever prey is available, including daylight hours.
Displacement from Roosts
Great horned owls are protective of their nesting sites and roosting spots. If a great horned owl gets displaced from its preferred roosting area by a competitor, it may have to seek out a temporary daytime perch until it can return at night. This could put the owl in the unusual position of being active outside of its normal nocturnal habits. Aggressive encounters with other owl species often lead to temporary displacement.
Migration and Dispersal
In some northern parts of their range, great horned owls may migrate south in the winter. The migrating and dispersing owls are traveling and hunting during both night and day as they move through less familiar environments. Young owls dispersing to establish new territories are especially likely to be more diurnal while finding suitable habitat.
Prey Availability and Habitat
Local variations in prey numbers and habitat may also prompt great horned owls to hunt during daylight hours. In areas where nocturnal rodents and rabbits are scarce, the owls may switch to more available daytime prey like reptiles, amphibians or even fish. And in open habitats like prairies or marshes with few roosting perches, the cover of night is not as important for an owl’s hunting success.
Weather Conditions
Extreme weather could also be a factor in great horned owls using daylight hours to hunt or move around. During severe storms or very cold winter nights, the owls may opt to seek shelter and remain active for longer periods in the relatively milder daylight conditions. Their thick plumage helps the owls thermoregulate well in cold environments.
Human Disturbance
Increased activity of humans near roosting or nesting spots can disrupt the normal nocturnal habits of great horned owls. Disturbance from logging, construction, or other habitat changes may force the owls to change their schedules to avoid humans, leading to more diurnal activity patterns.
Territoriality and Courtship
From late fall through winter, great horned owls begin establishing breeding territories and courting mates. The male owls may hoot and call from visible perches throughout the day and night to declare territory ownership and attract females. Peak breeding activity corresponds with longer daylight hours.
How Often Are Great Horned Owls Active During the Day?
While great horned owls are primarily nocturnal overall, they are probably more likely to be out and about in daylight than most other owl species. However, their diurnal activity patterns vary and have not been extensively studied across different regions.
Some research findings on frequency of diurnal activity:
– One study of urban great horned owls in Ohio found they were active about 8% of daylight hours on average.
– Another study observed male great horned owls hunting during the day 16% of the time in winter months and 22% of the time in summer.
– Great horned owls were noted flying during daylight in nearly 20% of observations in New York state during the breeding season.
– On winter days, one study noted diurnal activity 28% of the time in male great horned owls and 15% of the time in females.
So while great horned owls are still much more active at night overall, they exhibit daytime activity with varying frequency based on season, habitat, food availability and other factors. Their flexibility allows them to take advantage of diurnal food sources when nocturnal prey is scarce.
What Do Great Horned Owls Do During the Day?
When great horned owls are active in daylight, they engage in most of the same behaviors as they do at night:
Hunting and Feeding
Locating and catching prey is likely the most common diurnal activity. Their daytime prey includes mammals like rabbits and squirrels, as well as birds, reptiles, amphibians and even insects. If regular nocturnal prey is scarce, the owls switch to any food source available.
Defending Territories
The male great horned owls establish breeding territories starting in fall and defend them vigorously. Both day and night, they use loud hooting calls to warn away intruders and signal their territory ownership.
Caring for Young
Once eggs hatch in late winter, great horned owl parents have the demanding task of finding enough food to feed their ravenous nestlings. This often means hunting whenever necessary, even during daylight.
Roosting and Sheltering
Great horned owls utilize cavities in trees, rocky outcrops, and nests built by other birds as roosts. If displaced from their preferred roost or seeking shelter from weather, they may roost in a temporary spot during daylight.
Sunning and Preening
Perched on an exposed branch, great horned owls may sun themselves and preen their plumage to maintain feather health. Sunning likely serves both to warm the owl and to control parasites.
Interacting with Mate
From courtship through breeding, the adult owls spend more time together at the nest, sometimes during daylight. They groom each other, reinforce pair bonds, and prepare the nest cavity.
Dispersing and Migrating
Juvenile owls dispersing to new areas in fall, or migrating owls moving south in winter are likely active hunting for food during daylight as they travel through unfamiliar terrain.
So although primarily nocturnal, great horned owls exhibit a wide range of behaviors during daylight hours as well. Their activity patterns are flexible based on environmental conditions and needs.
What Are the Dangers to Great Horned Owls Active in Daylight?
While activity during daylight may provide hunting advantages for great horned owls at times, there are also increased risks and hazards:
Predation
Nocturnal activity helps great horned owls avoid most potential predators like hawks, eagles and other owls. Active diurnal owls are more vulnerable to being detected and preyed upon themselves.
Overheating
The darkness of night helps owls avoid excessive heat. Daytime sun and higher temperatures put owls at greater risk of overheating and dehydration. They may seek shady roosts during the hottest part of the day.
Exhaustion
Great horned owls are well-adapted for nocturnal living. Staying active in daylight may tire owls more quickly and drain valuable energy needed for breeding.
Disruption of Circadian Rhythms
Frequent daylight activity may interfere with owls’ innate circadian cycles adapted for nighttime living. This could potentially impact health and breeding success long-term.
Increased Risk of Vehicle Collisions
More cars on the road during daytime hours pose a hazard to low-flying or hunting owls. Vehicle collisions are a common cause of death.
Human Harassment
People tend to react with more surprise, fear and sometimes aggression when seeing owls active during the day, when they are unexpected. This could potentially lead to harming the owls. Education can reduce harassment.
So while owls may benefit from diurnal hunting and activity at times, the daytime conditions also introduce risks not faced at night. Their nocturnal adaptations make prolonged daylight activity more challenging.
How Can You Tell if a Daytime Owl is in Distress?
While daylight activity may be normal owl behavior in many cases, it could also be a sign an owl is sick, injured or in distress. Here are some indicators a daytime owl needs help:
Signs of Distress | Explanation |
---|---|
Allowing close approach by humans | Healthy owls keep their distance, distressed owls may lack energy to flee |
Sitting on the ground or low perch | May indicate injury, weakness, or disorientation |
Ruffled, dirty, or missing feathers | Can signal injury or inability to groom |
Closed eyes or drooping wings | Owl may be lethargic from illness or exhaustion |
Shivering | The owl may be undernourished and have difficulty thermoregulating |
Whimpering calls | Unusual vocalizations can indicate distress |
Lack of alertness or reaction to humans | Healthy owls are alert and avoid human interaction |
Crash landing or inability to fly | May suggest injury, weakness or impaired vision |
An owl exhibiting any of these signs during daylight hours likely needs intervention. Contact wildlife officials or a wildlife rehabilitation center promptly for assessment and care.
What to Do If You See a Great Horned Owl Out During Daylight
Observe from a Distance
Resist the impulse to approach the owl. Do not disturb or disrupt the owl’s natural behaviors. Maintain a respectful distance and watch quietly.
Assess the Owl’s Condition
Use binoculars from afar to inspect the owl for any signs of distress listed above. A healthy owl will appear alert, well-groomed, and wary of humans.
Report Injured or Distressed Owls
If the owl seems impaired or in danger, contact wildlife rescue hotlines immediately. They can dispatch experts to capture the owl and provide rehabilitation if needed.
Photograph the Owl
Taking photos and making notes on the owl’s location, behavior and appearance can help wildlife authorities identify and monitor the owl. Share details with local conservation groups.
Understand the Owl’s Routine
An owl seen periodically throughout the day at the same location is likely just utilizing a habitual roosting or nesting spot, not necessarily distressed. No need to intervene.
Educate Others About Owls
Explain to passersby that the owl’s daytime presence is not abnormal. Warn against disturbing the owl while advising observers to keep distance. Share owl natural history facts to inspire respect.
With appropriate respect for owls and proper response to signs of distress, individuals can help protect the health and safety of these magnificent raptors when sighted during daylight hours.
Conclusion
While primarily nocturnal hunters, it is not rare or necessarily concerning to witness great horned owls out and about during daylight. They exhibit a degree of diurnal activity that varies based on factors like food availability, season, habitat and individual energy needs. Nesting duties, territorial displays, migratory movements and displaced roosting may all put great horned owls in the position of being active in the daytime as well. However, excessive diurnal activity could potentially put owls at increased risk of overheating, injury or predation. Observers should understand the range of normal owl behaviors while looking for any signs of distress requiring intervention. With appropriate care and distance, the public can ensure the survival and success of any great horned owls present in unusual daytime circumstances.