Raptors are some of the coolest animals on the planet…

Hasn’t moved in days. Snow piling up on her back. Temperatures below zero.
She won’t leave. The eggs would freeze in minutes.
WHY WINTER: Great horned owls nest earlier than almost any bird in North America.
Why? Because owlets need TIME to learn to hunt before food gets scarce next winter.
So mom sits on eggs while it’s still snowing.

For 30-35 days. Barely eating. Barely moving. Through the worst of winter.
THE NEST: They don’t build their own nests. They can’t – their feet aren’t designed for it.
They take over old nests from hawks, crows, even squirrels.
“That crow nest looks nice. It’s ours now.”
Nobody argues with a great horned owl.

THE HOOTING: Those [s.c.ar.y] hoots you hear on winter nights?
That’s not haunting. That’s PARENTING.
→ “I brought a mouse.”
→ “The eggs are okay.”
→ “I’m still here.”
They’re communicating about their babies. Just like you text your partner.

WHAT THEY DO: One owl family eats 4,000+ rodents per year.
Mice. Rats. Voles. Rabbits.
Free [pe.st] control. All winter. All spring. All year.

THE BABIES: In March, you might hear weird screaming from the woods.
That’s not [de.mo.ns]. That’s OWLETS. Hungry owlets begging for food.
Both parents will hunt all night, every night, for months.
Exhausted. Like all new parents.

THE TRUTH: Those [s.ca.ry] owls in your woods?
Devoted parents. Sitting in the cold. Feeding their babies.
Maybe show them some respect.

They each play a vital role in keeping ecosystems healthy – not only being food for owls and other predators and omnivores but also spreading seeds, aerating soil, eating grubs and insects, fertilizing soil, nutrient cycling.
We have to learn to live with animals around us
They were here first and have learned to adapt and survive
They are very smarter.

H/t: Gardening Tips & Tricks