Two images of the GH Owls showing them to be crowding out of the nest with Mom aboard. In this instance, Mom had been feeding the young, but is now in the process of swallowing whole, including the talons, of what appears to be the leg of a predatory bird; probably one of the Coopers or Sharp-shinned Hawks that have been harassing them for days. see http://www.pbase.com/hankvv/image/149879614 . The Owlets are about five weeks old now.

I suspect that one of the adult Owls took revenge and snatched the Hawk from its night-time perch as payback and super.

I have previously observed a young GH Owl swallowing a Crows leg, talons and all.

Top Image: Note the claws of the Hawk about to go down.


Almost done, just one of the claws still showing.