Courtship in Owls

Before she becomes a mother, a female Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) and her mate enter a period of courtship, followed by nest-preparation, mating, and egg-laying.

I’ve been following the activities of one particular pair that’s been together for the past five breeding seasons (2018 to 2022). In other words, they are mated for life.

After five years of photographing the couple, I can distinguish the male from the female using some slight differences in their appearance. The female Great Horned Owl is the larger of the pair and has distinctive upright “horns” that seem to be locked in place.

In comparison, the male has “horns” that are shorter, more flexible and sometimes flattened.

Comparing them side by side when sitting in the nest…

Owls are solitary creatures, so the two stay close together only during the nesting season. Otherwise, they are completely independent of one another. Here’s a photo of the courting pair in January, showing them roosting during the daylight hours, but not too close…

Breeding season for Great Horned Owls begins in winter here on the North Carolina coast. The territory of this pair centers around the Old Burying Ground in Beaufort, with a home range extending beyond that for about one square mile. That would include most of the downtown area of the town.

COURTSHIP begins in the fall as the pair reunites with a courtship ritual of hooting. As a neighbor, I have often been awakened at night to hear one owl calling, the other answering, sometimes continuing until dawn. Often, an owl will sit on top of a nearby church steeple, hooting at sunset…

The female often answers her mate from somewhere in the treetops, out of sight. But occasionally, I witnessed the pair sharing the perch at dusk.

Courtship ends in December, and mating takes place in January. They also begin to prepare their nest. They chose the location in the cemetery as a safe place to nest within an abundance of tall trees. It’s also ideal for roosting during the day and as a base for hunting at night.

Here is the nest site, nestled in a hollow cavity of a huge Live Oak tree about 30 feet above ground. It has good access for the owls to approach and depart. In addition, the hollow is large enough for the needs of young nestlings.

Nest construction begins in December with removal of a certain amount of debris from last year’s nest (above). Then the pair line it with fresh materials. Although I cannot see into the nest cavity from below, much of the newly added nesting material overflows the top, revealing leafy vines and shreds of bark. Feathers from prey will be added later.

INCUBATION.  The female laid the first egg around January 20, 2022, the day that I first noticed her sitting in the nest. She had begun incubating the eggs to keep them warm during the winter. The female stays hunkered down for prolonged periods, barely changing her position.

During incubation, the male stays nearby protecting the territory. He will do the hunting and bring food to his mate.

This female’s vigil lasts about five weeks until the eggs hatch (see A Mother’s Vigil). Often there is an interval between laying eggs (one to seven days), extending the period of incubation until all of them hatch. The hatchlings are naked at first, requiring their mother’s warmth on cold winter days for another three weeks or so until they acquire a down covering.

For more on the Owls …

• Owl’s Nest, part 1 >>
• Owl’s Nest, Part 2 >>
• Owl’s Nest, Part 3 >>
• A Young Owl’s Adventure >>