Snow owls

Discussion in 'The Village Square' started by koszta kid, Apr 17, 2012.

  1. koszta kid

    koszta kid Young Pine

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    Will try and get some pictures. But Iowa is getting more and more Snow Owls. And are young ones.People who count them have rescued some. They don't know how to hunt. And sad to say some are starving.I will see what they eat. And if we can put out food. Did that few years ago. For Deer put out corn and salt mineral block. So they wouldn't eat bark off our fruit trees.
     
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  3. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    These beautiful owls eat lemmings and other voles but they will also prey on rabbits, birds, fish, amphibians, crustaceans and even insects.
    Snowy owls have many hunting techniques including swooping onto prey from a perch, taking birds in the air or from the surface of the water and snatching prey while walking on the ground.
    They don't normally take carrion but if they've been hand reared and then released you could try putting out day old chicks, rats and mice for them. These can all be bought in pet shops (frozen.) Once defrosted put them in a prominent place so that they can be seen from the air (such as an old tree stump) and well off the ground.
    I hope you are successful in feeding these youngsters.
    People shouldn't 'rescue' young birds of prey but, if they find them, should take them to a dedicated wildlife centre where they will be taught to fend for themselves so that they can be released into the wild with the best chance of survival.
     
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  4. koszta kid

    koszta kid Young Pine

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    Thanks for info. I know guy said he's been trapping mice. will ask him to keep them for me. We use to have lot of Voles-ate my tulips bulbs :( But the young birds people been taking to nature center in Cedar Rapids. Like to catch them a few moles-tearing up back 2 acres. Might be eating on rabbits-have not seen any eating on plants.
     

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