O W L S
of Rocky Mountain National Park Story and photos by Sco Rashid Six species of owls inhabit Rocky Mountain Na onal Park (RMNP). The largest of these is the roughly 24-inch Great Horned Owl. This flying ger (as it is o en called) can be found in a variety of loca ons and habitats within the park. Like the other owls in the Park, the Great Horned Owls do not construct their own nests but rather use an unoccupied pla orm previously constructed by ravens, crows, Red-tailed Hawks or even Northern Goshawks and Golden Eagles. They will also nest on cliff ledges or witch's brooms. Great Horned Owls remain on their territories yearround and their dis nc ve “who, who, whoohoo, hoo” can be heard virtually any month of the year. The owls heard calling in late summer and fall are most likely that year's young, prac cing their call while s ll on their
parent territories. Young owls need to perfect their call before moving out on their own. Juvenile Great Horned Owls can remain with their parents un l the eggs hatch the following year; at which point they become compe on to their parents for food and are driven from the territory. Courtship o en begins in late December or early January with the male vocalizing for his mate as they recapitulate for another nes ng season. Once the pair is together, the male takes the female to his proposed nest site, and will frequently vocalize from it, o en with food in his mouth. If she accepts the nest, she will begin laying her eggs; which are o en laid in two-to-three day intervals, but they can be laid up to a week apart. Incuba on lasts about 35 days and the young remain in the nest for up
