Sleep, Nap or Siesta?

Have you ever wondered how many owl species there are in the world?  No one may ever know the exact number, but there are definitely over 200 species of owls in the world!  There is one owl in particular that I would like to introduce to you in this blog.  Her name is Siesta and she is a Mottled Owl (Strix virgata), formerly known as Ciccaba virgata.

The Mottled Owl is native to Mexico, Central America and South America.  The type of habitat where they are found varies from dry forest to humid lowland rainforests.  Their diet consists of small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, small birds, and insects.  From this list of the wide array of foods they eat, you can gather that they are opportunistic eaters.  Siesta’s favorite food here at WBS is mice!  She is also given rabbit, chicks (chicken), and venison (deer) on other occasions. 

Mottled Owls have a wingspan of about 3 feet and are 13-15 inches in height.  With most birds of prey the females are larger than the males.  These small owls range from 175-350g (.39 - .77 lbs.) in weight. 

Mid to late winter is breeding season for owls.  Mottled Owls choose a nest made by a larger bird in the past.  These nests can be found low near the ground or very high in the trees.  Once a year Mottled Owls will lay 2 round white eggs that hatch after about 23-28 days of incubation by the female.  After about 30 days of the chicks being in the nest they start to fledge (leave the nest). Siesta gets broody (in the mood to nest) during owl breeding season, so we give her a wooden egg to satisfy her needs during this time. 

Because of their size, Mottled Owls do not live a very long life in the wild.  They can reach 6 or 7 years in the wild, but in captivity that number can increase dramatically.  Siesta was hatched in April of 1995, so she is 18 years old this year.  We hope she will continue to age well with us at the World Bird Sanctuary. 

Siesta is such an adorable owl, that you wouldn’t think she could get any cuter!  But wait!  When you come to visit her, she will show off her beautiful long eyelashes!  When visitors approach her enclosure she will often seem to bat her lashes at them.  She is such a gorgeous little owl!

Siesta is available for adoption in our Adopt a Bird program.  To find out more information Click Here or call 636-861-3225, ext. 106.  All adoption donations are tax deductible. 

Throughout the year Siesta can be seen at the Environmental Education Center at the World Bird Sanctuary, which is open daily from 8am-5pm.  Siesta is a very interesting bird to view.  You should stop on by and visit her! 

Submitted by Lisbeth Hodges, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Educating The Educator

Our Environmental Education Center sometimes educates the Naturalist…

I normally spend a few days each week working at the Environmental Education Center.  It’s a great place to see some fantastic birds, both indoors and outdoors, as well as some nice educational displays.  There’s also a “Touch Table” where you can get a hands on look at various animal bones, furs, feathers and more.

 When entering the Environmental Education Center keep an eye out for Dumpling--our official greeter!

Since the World Bird Sanctuary is a place for birds, we don’t allow dogs or any pets--in vehicles or otherwise--on our site.  We have signs posted at our entrance, but they aren’t always heeded by our guests.  If someone with a dog in their vehicle does venture in, it usually isn’t long before I hear it barking.  Anytime I hear the a dog barking, I have to find the owners and ask them to please remove the animal from our premises.  The birds just don’t like dogs, and can become very frightened by them.

There have been several instances when I have been working at the EEC and heard the “telltale” barking.  I always run outside immediately to find the source.  I had noticed on several occasions that when I ran out to find the offender, there was no dog to be found.  I shook it off, thinking that I must have been hearing things.  That was until last week, when I got a little education.

Our site had been closed due to snow and ice for several days.  I was eating lunch with our EEC representative, Dumpling the Bantam Cochin Chicken, at my feet.  Suddenly I heard that familiar barking sound.  Since we were closed, I was sure that no one had wandered on site with a dog.  Then it hit me.  In all that time I had worked at the EEC, I had never realized that Siesta, our Mottled Owl, can make a barking sound that closely resembles a dog.  Up until then I had only heard her make a cute little “chitter” noise.  I found out later, after talking with several of our Naturalists, that they had never heard her make a barking sound either.  I was truly shocked when I figured it out, and had to laugh at myself. 

 Siesta the Mottled Owl -- our little culprit!

I don’t know how many times I have gone running out of the EEC to find a dog that didn’t exist.  I wonder now if Siesta wasn’t sitting back and laughing at me in her own little way.  Thank goodness I finally caught her in the act and solved the “mystery barking”.  I just love when a bird ends up educating me at my expense.

Mottled Owls are native to Mexico and South America.  They live in a variety of habitats from forests to humid jungles, and up to 7500 feet above sea level.  They are about 13-15” in length, and like most owls, strictly nocturnal.  They have a varied diet, which can include large insects, small mammals, birds and reptiles.  They nest in a hole in a tree, tops of broken palm trees or in vacant nests.  I have come to find out that this species uses a variety of vocalizations such as hoots, whistles, screeches, screams, purrs, snorts, chitters and hisses.  They can also make a clicking noise with their tongue.

Next time you visit WBS, be sure to stop in the EEC and have a look at Siesta.  Maybe you will be fortunate enough to hear her bark.  Just be careful as you walk into the building, as Dumpling may be sitting near the door to greet you.

Submitted by Billie Baumann, World Bird Sanctuary Outreach Coordinator