During Charlie's walk in the woods yesterday there was a very large bird sitting on the track, as we got nearer we could see it was a really huge brown coloured Owl just standing there. Charlie was off lead and approached the Owl, he did NOT touch it but kind of danced around it whilst the Owl just sat there. We thought it must be injured but it flew off after a little while. I'm assuming Charlie knew not to touch it as it could some damage with it's talons It was very strange xx
Sounds like a weak or young (just flown the nest) wild Tawny owl, unless it was an escapee from somewhere. Did you notice if it had a ring on it's leg or flying leathers? A captive bred bird wouldn't be afraid of an approaching human, or a dog if it's been brought up with them around, especially if it's getting hungry.
Well done Charlie for leaving it. I came across an adult owl in the winter, it wouldn't move, so I was worried about it, so decided to try and catch it and take it to a vet or someone! Though it was Christmas Eve, so guess that would have been hopeless. I put my hand out toward it and it stretched out its talons and held my hand, so there I was attached to an owl and it was getting dark! Fortunately after a few minutes it let me go! I went to get help but by the time we got back it had gone.
It was huge, I don't think it had just flown the nest. No we didn't notice a ring as it was pretty camoflaged on the wooded track. That's a thought I wonder if it was a captive bred one as there is a Bird Sanctuary not very far from us and they have lots of Owls. It didn't react to Charlie at all and then just flew off without any trouble. I hope it's OK. x
Well done Charlie. We had a muskrat that was visiting our yard and Duggan also danced around it. It was trying to charge us. They aren't the quickest things on land. Luckily it's beaver like teeth never got ahold of us. I can only hope he knows to stay away from porcupines.
Escapee from a sanctuary or display group? Its that time of year, agricultural shows etc. where they have owls/birds of prey doing displays and they do sometimes make a bid for freedom. Can't say I blame them though