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Eurasian eagle owls are the second largest owl in the world and this particular one is called Michael and likes to drive around in a Tesla. When this mere human dared to try to talk to Michael he got a pretty withering look!
Michael is not what you’d expect to find riding shotgun in a Tesla on a city street. These amazing birds are native to Asia, Eurasia and Europe where they live in rocky, steep terrain usually near forested areas. They often build their nests high up on rocky cliffs or in large trees but they have also been seen using nests abandoned by eagles and buzzards.
Although Michael is clearly not in flight here, when he is, his wingspan could be up to six feet. These are large and beautiful birds with enormous orange eyes and striking black pupils. They are one of the horned owls so you may have noticed the feathery tufts on his head that look a bit like horns. They are actually called plumicorns, and they can be up to three inches long. You probably also noticed the strong, curved beak with lighter feathers underneath. The females are larger than the males can grow up to 30 inches tall.
These birds are usually most active at night but in locations where nights are short, you will see them hunting during the day. They are apex predators and have several features that help them hunt at night. With excellent night vision and the large facial disc (the concave collection of feathers on the face) to amplify sound, they are very well equipped to detect potential prey. When flying or perching on a branch they are looking and listening for a target.
They hunt whatever is in their habitat but it is usually mice, voles and rats. These birds will also tackle larger animals like rabbits and hedgehogs. Rarely, they have caught young deer and wild piglets! They have no natural predators and humans are their greatest threat. However, because they can cause injuries to humans, you should not consider having one as a pet unless you know how to handle them.
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.