Sunday E-dition: The Elusive Owls of Napa County

By Kathleen Scavone

NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — Have you heard the mysterious calls of Napa Valley's owls at night? As the day's heat fades, nighttime offers a chance to explore the natural world by tuning into the diverse and distinctive sounds of our local owls. From haunting hoots to eerie screeches and classic "who-who" calls, Napa County is home to a variety of these fascinating birds. These owls, along with other birds, are the last remaining direct descendants of dinosaurs, adding a prehistoric element to their allure.

Release of great horned owl by Napa Wildlife Rescue — John Comisky Photo

Owls are not just calling and hunting at night —they are seeking mates, many of which they stay with for life, and caring for their young. Juvenile owls learn essential survival skills from their parents, such as hunting and navigating their environment. Listening for their unique vocalizations reveals a hidden nocturnal symphony and offers a glimpse into the often unseen, active lives of these remarkable birds of prey.

According to the Napa-Solano Audubon Society the barn owl, western screech-owl, great horned owl, northern pygmy owl, burrowing owl, northern spotted owl and short-eared owl can all be found in Napa County. A great way to identify an owl is by its call, and owl sounds can be heard on a site recommended by this group that lists many other useful resources, such as birding books and birdhouse construction plans.

Western screech owls can be heard trilling sweetly in the night. Their name is baffling to most, since the 7.5- to 9.8-inch-long stocky birds' call is not actually a screech (listen to it here).

The Cornell Lab's All About Birds website explains that the western screech owl diet includes crayfish, worms, rats and more, and that they can be found year-round in residential areas as well as in the wild throughout much of North America's western regions.

Strangely, whereas the screech own’s call is not very screechy, the barn owl’s call is (listen to it here). The Cornell Lab of Ornithology website explains that these pale, dark-eyed birds are 12.6 to 15.8 inches in length with a wingspan of up to 49.2 inches. On a dark night they can look eerily white due to their buff coloring. These appropriately named owls derive their moniker from a habit of roosting and nesting in old barns, buildings and trees. They hunt for mice and other rodents by way of sound localization, a trait that allows them, like most owls, to locate the sound of its prey in both direction and distance.

Six young barn owls by Napa Wildlife Rescue — John Comisky Photo

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Napa Valley Features’ Note:

In Northern California, barn owls primarily feed on small mammals, with a significant portion of their diet consisting of rodents. Studies in Humboldt County, for example, have shown that the California vole (Microtus californicus) makes up a substantial part of their diet, accounting for about 60% of the relative biomass of prey consumed. Similarly, observations at Ed Levin County Park indicate that barn owls predominantly consume small rodents (Source). Barn owls are capable of eating a considerable amount of prey in one night. On average, a barn owl can consume three or four prey items per night, which translates to about 23% of their body weight. Over the course of a year, this can amount to more than 1,000 mice. This high consumption rate underscores their role in controlling rodent populations, making them valuable to agricultural areas.

Owl pellets, the regurgitated remains of an owl's undigested food, provide a fascinating insight into their diet and hunting habits. Most birds of prey, including other owl species, also produce pellets. These pellets contain indigestible parts such as fur, bones, teeth and feathers, which are compacted in the owl's gizzard and then regurgitated. The analysis of owl pellets is a valuable non-invasive method for studying the diet of raptors. By dissecting these pellets, researchers can identify the types of prey consumed and gain insights into the local ecosystem. This method has been particularly useful in understanding the dietary habits of barn owls in various regions, including Northern California, where they play a crucial role in controlling rodent populations.

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The Napa Wildlife Rescue organization has been running a Barn Owl Maintenance Program since 2018. The unique program offers an alternative to pesticides in farming, since owls provide a clean method of pest management by hunting for pesky rodents. In turn, the birds have a safe space in which to hunt. The organization sells, installs, cleans and monitors the occupancy of barn owl nesting boxes. The nonprofit organization relies on generous donors, grants and volunteers. They are the only organization in Napa County permitted to rescue, provide medical care and release wildlife back to their native homes. They can assist when a songbird slams into a window, when a hawk is hit by a car, or when a litter of raccoons or foxes are orphaned.

Carol Poole, president of their board of directors is involved with raptors, including owls.

"The most common owl species that come into care at Napa Wildlife Rescue are barn owls, western screech owls and great horned owls,” she said. “We occasionally get northern pygmy owls. We've only had one long-eared owl, one short-eared owl and one burrowing owl. Generally, the wildlife we get are those species that have adapted to environmental changes and live in areas that are inhabited by humans. This season we have cared for and released many barn owls and western screech owls. Last year we had more great horned owls. There are years when some species seem to have more babies than other years, and this is probably related to the prey that is available."

Burrowing owl sent by Napa Wildlife Rescue — Mitchell Glotzer Photo

The most widespread injury for adult owls is being hit by cars, and, sadly, not all wounds can be healed. Many can, however. Other owl rescues are needed when baby birds are found on the ground and may have fledged prematurely, bailed out of a nest in really hot weather or been pushed out by siblings.

"We will raise a baby owl with others of its own species and release them together for mutual support,” Poole said. “Whenever possible we reunite or renest raptor babies with their families. Great horned owls are amazing parents and will accept a baby back even if it has been in hospital care for a couple of weeks."

The July 3 issue of Sierra, the Magazine of the Sierra Club includes an interesting article about burrowing owls by Riley Black, titled “Burrowing Owls Are Increasingly in Conflict With Humans Over Housing.” In it Black explains that these industrious owls are the single raptors that make homes underground. The sounds they emit can vary from hissing to hooting, and they can be found sunning themselves outside their homes. The 8-ounce birds often make homes in areas inhabited by humans, such as the level grasslands ideal for houses and other development. As with many other avian and mammal species, human encroachment is affecting burrowing owl populations, causing them to be listed as an endangered species in Canada. It is believed that the hissing sound they make contributes evolutionarily to their survival since the birds can scare away predators such as other raptors, coyotes and skunks.

Enjoy the secretive, shy and mostly nocturnal practices of owls. It's easy to cultivate a receptive outlook to the sensory richness owls can add to nighttime life. Their rich web of connections clambers for our attention.

If today’s story captured your interest, explore these related articles:

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Kathleen Scavone, M.A., retired educator, is a potter, freelance writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park”, "People of the Water" and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She loves hiking, travel, photography and putzing in the garden. She can be reached through her website.

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Levity Corner

Caption contest: Pick your favorite caption or add your own in the comments below.

Possible captions or add your own in the comments below:

1. "If you sit quietly enough, sometimes you can watch them take selfies."

2. "If you sit quietly enough, sometimes you can watch them check their phones."

3. "Mom, do you think they’re looking for food?"

4. "They ARE NOT always this quiet?"

5. "Their courtship rituals are quite strange, aren't they?"

Last week’s winner

The winning caption, from last week’s contest, in “Sunday E-dition: Retired Judge Brings Real Napa Valley Crimes to Life,” with 60% of the votes was, "I need some space."

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Last Week

Sasha Paulsen explored the work of retired Napa Superior Court Judge Ray Guadagni in "Sunday E-dition: Retired Judge Brings Real Napa Valley Crimes to Life." Guadagni’s new book, "The Napa Valley LendVest Fraud Scandal," delves into the 1980s Ponzi scheme orchestrated by David Hanson, who defrauded hundreds of Napa residents through his LendVest Mortgage company. Guadagni’s detailed narrative recounts the devastating financial impacts on investors, many of whom lost their life savings, and links the scandal to international criminal activities. The story begins with a major drug bust and culminates in a complex investigation revealing widespread fraud and betrayal.

Bob Niklewicz discussed the importance of proper gloves for gardeners in "Why Proper Gloves Are Essential for Gardeners." He emphasized the protective benefits of gloves against various hazards, including pathogens such as Clostridium tetani and physical injuries from tools and thorny plants. Niklewicz highlighted different types of gloves suited for specific gardening tasks and noted the necessity of well-fitting gloves to maintain grip strength and hand health. He also mentioned advanced glove features such as touchscreen compatibility and reinforced palms for enhanced functionality.

Dan Berger analyzed the decline of traditional dry table wines in "Dan Berger’s Wine Chronicles: The Death of Table Wine." He lamented the shift in California's wine industry towards sweeter, higher-alcohol wines, which he believes cater to less-discerning palates. Berger detailed factors such as increased sugar content from additives like Mega Purple, reduced acidity and extended hang times for grapes, all contributing to the softer, more approachable wines that dominate the market today. Despite these trends, Berger acknowledged that California still produces some exceptional wines, though they are increasingly difficult to find.

“Rupert” by Kathleen Scavone

Napa Valley Features previewed the upcoming Napa Valley Writers' Conference in "Weekender Encore: The Napa Valley Writers’ Conference Starts Soon." From July 21-26, this event will host more than 20 public literary activities, including readings, workshops, and discussions, many of which are free or under $25. Executive Director Angela Pneuman highlighted the affordability and accessibility of the events, featuring notable authors like Jamil Jan Kochai, Lysley Tenorio, and Emily Wilson. Highlights include free poetry workshops, seminars, and evening readings held at Napa Valley College and Silverado Vineyards.

Tim Carl explored the economic significance of Napa Valley in "The Value of Napa Valley," highlighting its status as the most valuable wine region in the U.S., with bottle prices four times the national average. The article emphasized that the region's value extends beyond wine, attracting tourism and business due to its natural beauty and high quality of life. Napa Valley's wine brand commands a significant share of the U.S. wine market revenue, driven by its premium pricing and strong market demand. The discussion underscored the importance of understanding Napa Valley's economic impact for better decision-making among business owners and stakeholders.

Next Week

Next week we have more interesting articles from a host of Napa Valley Features' contributors. The Master Gardener series on Wednesday will provide gardening insights, while Dan Berger will focus on wine topics on Thursday. Carl will delve into the status of the changing nature of firefighter volunteers in Napa County, and there will be coverage of two new eateries gaining momentum with locals. Additionally, there will be even more information included.