In NE Ohio where I grew up, Great Horned Owls (GHOW) frequently took ring
necked pheasants as prey, their nests often having many pheasant feathers in
them. I would think that Sharp tailed Grouse would also be on the menu. As
mentioned earlier, GHOW are one of the few enemies of skunks. An unusual
bird band return was that of a yellow rumped warbler, whose band was found
in a GHOW nest or pellet (I don't remember which).



The GHOW was most likely roosting when the grouse came to feed and then
rest. Why they choose to stay around is a guess, but they obviously did not
view the GHOW as a threat. I would lean more towards a coincidental
sighting rather than one based on a developed relationship.



J. Acker

Bainbridge Island, WA

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