Subject: Re: Age of Snowy Owls in the Pacific Northwest
Date: Mar 12 08:55:21 1997
From: Mike Patterson - mpatters at orednet.org




>
>
>I've been casually following several e-mail lists over the last few months
>and noticed a number of references to adult owls. I even vaguely recall
>one report of three adult females together (at SJCR?). I'm wondering if
>anybody out there who is confident that he/she has seen adult owls this
>year in the Pacific Northwest could e-mail me with details of these
>sightings. Specifically, I'd like to know where and when adults have
>been seen and how they were identified as adults.
>

There has been some contention among us "experts" down here in Oregon
regarding aging and sexing SNOW. At least 5 individuals have been seen at
one time. Of these, I have seen 4.

Bird #1- This is the bird (assuming its the same bird) most frequently.
It has a white head and fine barring on the mantle and wing
coverts. From a distance, the bird looks to have a pale grey
body and white head.

Bird #2- This bird was seen at the SJCR only once. It had heavy black
barring on the coverts, mantle, nape and crown.

Bird #3- Almost completely white. Some small black spotting on wing
coverts. Likes to sit in the tops of trees.

Bird #4- Much like bird #3, perhaps a bit more spotting in the coverts.
seen simultaneously with bird #3. Hangs out on the river dune
and seen actively cruising for Sanderlings.

I identified bird #1 as immature male, bird #2 as immature female and birds #3
and #4 as adult male. I am not adverse to being corrected.


--
*********************************** I got the blues so bad one time
* Mike Patterson, Astoria, OR * it put my face in a permanent frown
* mpatters at orednet.org * but I am feelin' so much better
*http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters* I could cake-walk into town