In this area of Florida, owls are all around us, silently going about their lives, courting, raising young, hunting. It takes a few fundamentals of owl etiquette to become good neighbors. In this area of Florida we have Great Horned Owls, Barred Owls, Barn Owls and Screech Owls. If owls take up nesting in your yard, chances are they've already scrutinized you thoroughly and passed judgment as to your desirability as a neighbor.
If you have mature pine and oak trees in the neighborhood, you probably have a resident owl. Winter nesters, owls begin to reestablish pair bonds around mid-September and into October with much hooting. Nesting and laying of eggs usually takes place sometime in November. Owl pairs may return to the same nest tree or shift nest sites within the larger nesting territory.
A friend living on Anastasia Island has a yard with large trees and for several years she's been host to a pair of Great Horned Owls and their chicks. It's obvious the owls have declared her yard as safe and friendly. One time, in December, she spotted the male in a large oak next to her driveway. This may mean the female has already started sitting on eggs nearby and the male has begun his duty as lookout and protector. This friend has already been recognized as a good hostess and her presence has become part of the familiar landscape.
When she spots one of the Horned Owls, she speaks to declare her presence. They recognize her voice, and a repeated phrase and relaxed body posture assures them she's not trying to sneak up on them. Their own body language will tell volumes.
If feathers are fluffed up, head almost disappearing between shoulders, the owl is relaxed. If the owl flattens its feathers, the head goes up and sharp eyes follow movement, then it's time to move away, sit, and speak quietly.
Last year this owl hostess put out a child's plastic pool, filled it with water and then watched from her window as, one at a time, owls bathed in the water. If you do have owls, they are more vocal during courtship September through November. The pair becomes more silent while they share nest duties with the eggs. When the young fledge from the nest, sometime February through March, listen carefully as the family group converses.
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