Owls are mysterious birds of prey that hunt at night. With their large, forward-facing eyes and almost soundless flight, they are formidable nocturnal predators. However, owls must still contend with threats from other birds when they are active during the day. So do other birds actually attack owls?
The short answer is yes, absolutely. Owls face threats from a variety of bird species during the day when they are trying to roost or when defending a nest site. Birds that mob and harass owls range from small songbirds to large predatory birds.
Small birds tend to mob owls because they view them as a threat. Crows, jays, blackbirds, and others will band together and dive-bomb owls while vocalizing loudly. This mobbing behavior is thought to either drive the predator away or alert other birds in the area to the owl’s presence. While mobbing, the birds are on the offensive and are generally not trying to injure the owl.
Larger predatory birds like hawks, eagles, and falcons will attack and prey on owls. Most documented cases involve large raptors like red-tailed hawks preying on small owl species or defending a nest site from a potential owl threat. There are even reports of barred owls and great horned owls skirmishing over territory. These attacks can sometimes result in the death of an owl.
So while not all birds view owls as enemies to attack, they do face harassment and predation threats from a wide array of avian species. The open hostility some birds show towards owls underscores their vulnerable status as diurnal roosters and crepuscular hunters. Mobbing and predation pressure has shaped owl behavior over evolutionary time. Next, we’ll take a more detailed look at which species attack owls and why.
Small Birds Mob Owls to Drive Them Away
Small passerine birds are one of the most frequent attackers of owls during daylight hours. Species known for mobbing owls include crows, ravens, jays, blackbirds, chickadees, shrikes, waxwings, and many more. These birds will vocalize loudly and dive in to peck and harass a roosting owl. Mobs can consist of a handful of birds or up to 100 or more.
This mobbing behavior serves two purposes for small birds. First, it alerts other birds in the area to the presence of a predator. The cacophony of alarm calls draws additional birds to join the harassment. Second, the mobbing may drive the owl away to find a less exposed roosting spot. While mobbing, the birds are generally not trying to cause injury to the owl. They simply want to chase it away by being loud, aggressive, and attacking its perch.
Species of owls known to be mobbed by small birds when exposed during the day include:
– Great horned owl
– Barred owl
– Spotted owl
– Barn owl
– Eastern screech owl
– Great grey owl
– Snowy owl
– Northern hawk owl
– Burrowing owl
A few factors influence how intensely small birds will mob a roosting owl. Birds are more likely to attack if:
– The owl is in an exposed perch vs concealed site
– It’s the nesting/breeding season (need to protect eggs/young)
– An owl is near an active nest
– It’s early in the season (birds are extra territorial)
– The owl is slumbering (not alert)
– There are more birds to join mob
While mobbing looks aggressive, it rarely results in any real harm to the owl. It does, however, force the owl to take flight and find a safer place to roost during daylight. This explains why owls are very selective about finding concealed cavities, tree hollows, or dense foliage for roosting sites during the day. Still, the relentless nature of mobbing shows how vulnerable owls can be to harassment from small birds.
Predatory Birds Attack Owls as Competition
While small birds mob owls to drive them away, larger predatory birds will actually attack owls to kill or eat them. Species known to prey on owls include eagles, hawks, falcons, and other owl species. These raptors are direct competitors with owls for territory and food sources. They also need to protect their own nests from potential owl threats.
Here are some examples of larger predatory birds attacking owls:
– Red-tailed hawks and great horned owls competing over nest sites. These two species frequently fight when defending breeding territories.
– Barred owls attacking spotted owls. As barred owls expand their range, they are displacing and sometimes killing spotted owls.
– Northern goshawks preying on boreal and great grey owls. These powerful accipiters overwhelm owls that venture into their forest domains.
– Golden eagles killing great horned owls and long-eared owls. Owls make up a small percentage of golden eagle diets.
– Peregrine falcons preying on burrowing owls. The speedy falcons are able to overwhelm the small owls.
– Other large owls like eagle owls and great grey owls killing smaller owl species for food. Owls are not above preying on one another.
These examples show that owls face their most dangerous bird threats from fellow raptors. When defending territories or nests, the powerful talons and sharp beaks of hawks, eagles, and falcons can injure or kill owls. Most predation happens during the day when owls are roosting or forced to engage the diurnal raptors. It underlines the precarious balance owls must strike as they operate in both the daytime and nighttime worlds.
Owl Defenses Against Bird Attacks
So how do owls manage to survive and thrive despite constant mobbing and predation threats from other birds? Owls have evolved several key defenses:
Camouflage plumage – Their muted brown, black, white, and grey feathers help owls blend into tree bark and shadows while roosting during the day. This makes them harder for birds to initially spot and target.
Concealed roosts – Owls seek cavities, crevices, thick foliage, and other secluded spots to spend the day. These make it harder for birds to find and repeatedly harass them.
Alertness – An owl keeps its eyes open and head on a swivel to detect approaching birds early while roosting. This allows them to prepare for attacks or depart the area sooner.
Mobility – Owls can swiftly take flight to escape mobbing dives or aggressive raptors. Their massive wings allow quick getaways (though some species are more agile than others).
camouflage plumage – Their muted brown, black, white, and grey feathers help owls blend into tree bark and shadows while roosting during the day. This makes them harder for birds to initially spot and target.
Defensive postures – Fluffing feathers, lateral exhibition of ear tufts, and spreading wings makes an owl appear larger and more intimidating to drive off birds.
Sharp talons and beak – Owls will defend themselves with their weapons if a physical altercation can’t be avoided. These can injure and potentially kill birds that attack them.
Through these adaptations, owls are able to limit attacks and protect themselves to a degree. But they must still remain vigilant every time they are active during daylight hours. This is the price owls pay for their unusual ability to hunt so successfully under the cover of darkness.
Notable Examples of Birds Attacking Owls
To better understand how birds interact with owls, let’s look at some specific examples of mobbing and predation events caught on camera:
Crow Mobbing a Great Horned Owl
A viral video shows over a hundred American crows mobbing a roosting great horned owl in Salem, Oregon. The crows had discovered the owl camouflaged in a tree and relentlessly dive-bombed it while cawing loudly for over an hour. Despite the chaos, the owl remained composed until it finally fled from its compromised daytime roost.
Red-tailed Hawk Kills Great Horned Owl
A resident in Illinois captured photos of a mid-air battle between a red-tailed hawk and great horned owl. The larger hawk had the owl grasped in its talons. The owl was later found dead below the aerial battle scene, apparently killed by the territorial hawk.
Eagle Owl Eats Snowy Owl
Trail camera photos from Ontario show a massive Eurasian eagle owl with a snowy owl in its talons. The eagle owl is the larger predator and had killed the snowy owl to eat it. A later shot shows only owl feathers remaining after the eagle owl consumed its meal.
Burrowing Owl Dragged from Burrow
A nest cam in central California showed a peregrine falcon swooping down and forcibly dragging a burrowing owl from its underground nest. The much faster falcon likely killed and ate the burrowing owl. Falcons are known to prey on the small owls.
These instances provide a window into how owl-bird dynamics play out. Whether mobbing or preying, birds take advantage of owls’ vulnerability during daylight to go on the offensive against the powerful nocturnal hunters.
Do Small Owls Get Attacked More Frequently?
Given the examples discussed so far, you may wonder if large owls or small owls face more frequent attacks by other birds. Let’s analyze this in more detail.
In general, smaller owl species face mobbing more routinely than large owl species. This is because birds perceive smaller owls as less of a threat, so they are more willing to aggressively dive-bomb them to drive them away. Smaller owls like eastern screech, elf, and burrowing owls get mobbed constantly by songbirds and crows when exposed during daylight.
However, when it comes to predation by larger raptors, smaller owl species are again more vulnerable. Their diminutive size makes them easier prey for powerful birds of prey like eagles, hawks, and falcons. Predatory birds can overwhelm and kill small owl species much more easily.
Larger owl species like great horned, barred, and great grey owls face fewer predation threats since fewer birds are capable of taking them down. However, they likely experience more fighting-related injuries or deaths when clashes do occur over territories and nest sites. Their size and strength offers protection, but also leads to violent showdowns with rivals.
So while mobbing might merely harass large owls, smaller species face mobbing harassment as well as debilitating predation pressures from across the size spectrum of birds. Their adaptations help level the playing field, but added vigilance is required.
Do Nocturnal Habits Help Owls Avoid Conflicts?
Owls’ nocturnal activity patterns certainly help reduce conflicts with other birds active during daylight hours. Most mobbing and predation on owls occurs during the day when they are roosting. If owls only flew at night, they would face far fewer attacks.
However, owls cannot avoid the daytime entirely. They need to:
– Return to roosts to rest after hunting all night
– Digest meals and regurgitate pellets
– Conduct nest exchanges with mates
– Defend nest sites
– Feed nestlings during the day
– Disperse fledglings to new territories
These essential behaviors force owls to be active when other birds are alert and territorial. And since owls need cavities or concealed perches to safely roost, their options are limited. Remaining completely nocturnal is not biologically feasible.
So while nocturnality provides a measure of protection, owls are still exposed at times when diurnal species hold the advantage. This explains why owls remain vigilant and ready to defend themselves even while roosting. Their nighttime prowess necessitates increased vigilance during the day.
How do Owls Fare in Bird-vs-Bird Physical Confrontations?
When a physical altercation occurs between an owl and another bird, there are a few factors that influence which one comes out on top:
Size – Larger owls like great horned typically defeat smaller raptors, while small owls lose to most medium and large birds. Weight and wingspan provides an advantage.
Arsenal – An owl’s sharp talons and hooked beak make it dangerous at close quarters. Birds with less robust claws and bills are at a disadvantage.
Agility – More agile fliers like falcons and accipiters can outmaneuver less nimble owls in aerial skirmishes.
Speed – Fast diving raptors like peregrines have an edge over slower flying owls. Burst speed translates to greater impact force.
Strength – Stronger birds like eagles and buteos can overpower owls once they grapple at close range. Pure muscle mass matters.
Ferocity – Some owls like great horned and barred are more aggressive fighters. They may prevail against more passive raptors.
As these factors illustrate, the outcome depends greatly on the species involved. An owl may successfully fend off a crow or jay mob, yet struggle against an angry red-tailed hawk or peregrine falcon. But owls have enough attributes to put up a strong defense in most one-on-one bird battles.
Special Cases: Birds That Live Harmoniously with Owls
While many birds view owls as threats or competition, there are some unique exceptions where birds cooperate with owls or at least peacefully co-exist:
Osprey: These fish-hawk raptors occasionally nest in close proximity to nesting owls without conflict. They may benefit from owls repelling other birds that could threaten osprey nests.
Woodpeckers: Certain woodpeckers will nest inside hollow trees already housing a roosting owl. The owl presence may actually deter larger predators.
Songbirds: Nocturnal species like thrushes and nightjars that share the same habitat have fewer daytime conflicts with owls.
Small rodents: Some mice and voles choose to live in burrows near burrowing owl nests. The owls keep the rodents relatively safe from other predators.
Insect prey: Moths that are active at night may benefit from the presence of hunting owls decreasing competition from bats and other nocturnal insect-eaters.
These examples illustrate that in the intricate web of life, owl interactions with fellow animals are not always antagonistic. Savvy species have found ways to adapt around and even benefit from the presence of such mysterious raptors.
Conclusion
In summary, birds across a wide spectrum—from tiny songbirds to massive eagles—will take advantage of opportunities to harass, attack, and even prey on owls. Mobbing by corvids, mimic thrushes, and blackbirds is common as they try to alert one another and drive the owls away from their territory during the day. Larger raptors like hawks, falcons, and eagles present an even greater threat as they will kill and eat smaller owl species and battle with larger owls over territory and nest sites.
Yet despite the threats posed by other birds, owls manage to survive and thrive. Their cryptic plumage, concealed roosting behavior, alertness, and defensive capabilities allow them to co-exist and minimize conflicts in clever ways. Owls exemplify how amazing adaptations and survival strategies evolve over time even in prey species. And their ability to hunt successfully at night enables them to largely avoid trouble until the sun rises again.
Owls occupy a unique niche in the avian world. The threats they face from other birds during the day underscore how their habit of hunting under the cloak of darkness helps them exploit resources untapped by most active daytime birds. By persevering through mobbings and fending off fierce diurnal raptors, owls have secured a precious foothold…at least until dusk returns.