Whoo’s Next
The great northern wilderness of the
world is refuge for many animals. While some are coping with the
pressures exerted on their domain, others are embattled in the
struggle to remain viable and even, for some, to
exist.
Burrowing Owls
live on grasslands, prairie and desert habitats from Canada to
Argentina. Prairie populations migrate to the southwestern United States and Mexico for the
winter. Their diet may consist of insects, birds, mice, reptiles
and frogs. Formerly numbering over 10,000 pairs in Canada’s
grasslands, this species has been declining in its northern range
since the 1930s. It is now critically endangered and less than a
dozen survive in Manitoba.
When disturbed at the burrow entrance, these owls fly a few metres
away and then bob their head up and down in threat. Most hunting is
done after dark but it may be active day or night. This tiny owl
nests in underground burrow left over from ground squirrels or
badgers. The burrow is important for protection from predators,
social contacts, attracting food and temperature control. Dramatic
declines in many populations continue despite conservation measure,
due mainly to habitat degradation, predators, vehicle strikes,
inclement weather, pesticides in their food, lack of burrows and
shooting. Many zoo-bred owls have been released but few return
during spring migration.
Secure as long as wilderness is left undisturbed, the northern
coniferous/mixed forest and swamp of North America and Eurasia is
the home of the
Great Grey Owl
. Mice, shrews, squirrels, hares, grouse are its food. The great
grey owl is distinguished by its
rounded, earless head, large facial disks, and mottled grey-brown
plumage and was designated Manitoba’s Provincial Bird in 1987. With
a 1.5-metre wingspan and 1.2 kg weight, it is second in size only
to the snowy owl. Its 6-cm-thick plumage insulates the bird from
intense winter cold. Active during low-light periods of the day as
well as at night, this owl perches on a favourite treetop or post
and watches and listens for prey – even to a depth of 45 cm of
snow. Great grey owls in zoos have survived for over 40 years but
seldom live over 20 years in the wild.