Dave Nunnallee wrote:

>I have noticed that a surprising number of birders have a real aversion to
>calling owls, whether by whistling, calling or playing tapes - an aversion
>that goes well beyond the normal concerns of excess harrassment. I have
>never quite understood this strong reaction, as many of these same birders
>think nothing of playing tapes for diurnal bird species. It seems as though
>owls are perceived as having a certain mystique, setting them apart from
>other birds. Yet, I have to admit that I have often wondered if calling
>small owls might indeed expose them to an increased risk of predation by the
>larger owls.

My guess is that the pygmy you described was entirely safe from the great
horned. Small birds are much more agile than large ones, and, in this
case, if the pygmy could actually see the horned (I assume it was in
daylight), it had no reason to fear it. No way the great horned (which is
hardly falcon- or accipiter-shaped) could outfly the pygmy. Same reason
all those little passerine birds approach, rather than flee, when we
whistle like a pygmy-owl. An owl attracted at night would, obviously, be
under greater risk, as several posts have made clear.

Owls have a mystique among many people (it has been said) because they sit
still and don't say much, thus indicating their wisdom!

Dennis Paulson phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416