2 Rare Interesting Birds That Live in Our Area
By Adelaide Keller
By Adelaide Keller
Montgomery County is home to many diverse species of animals. Here are two cool birds that live in MoCo that you probably haven't seen before.
1: The Barred Owl
The barred owl is named after the horizontal barred pattern of feathers running along its chest and the vertical bars on its underside. They do not have any ear tufts, and tend to be about 16.9 - 19.7 inches in length. These owls are usually found in wooded areas close to bodies of water such as rivers, creeks, and streams. They eat mainly voles along with birds, frogs, crayfish, and large insects. I have seen and heard barred owls while hiking the Upper Watts Branch trail in Rockville, Maryland. You can often hear them in the early morning during the summertime on the trail, and if you’re lucky you might see them. The part of the trail you can hear them on starts close to the intersection of Nelson Street and College Parkway, if you walk a little ways up Nelson Street in the direction of Woodley Gardens Pool on the sidewalk to the right side of the street. To hear some barred owl calls CLICK HERE!
2: The Green Heron
Green herons are short and stocky - much smaller than their relative, the great blue heron (which you may have seen before). They have green heads and wings with dark reddish brown chests. They usually keep their necks drawn into their bodies, which can make it look like they don’t have any necks at all. These herons will stand still at the water's edge or on something floating along the water’s surface waiting for fish to come by. Then, they will thrust their beak into the water, trying to catch the fish for food. Along with fish green herons will eat spiders, insects, rodents, crustaceans, and small amphibians and reptiles. They usually are only seen in Maryland during the summer. I have seen and heard green herons near and in Lake New Mark in the New Mark Commons during the summertime. At the “lake” they can sometimes be seen flying from tree to tree or near the water waiting for fish. To hear green heron calls CLICK HERE!
Barred owls and green herons are both interesting species. You’re very lucky if you get to see them - they aren’t seen that often in our area.
Sources
Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Creating a Wild Backyard - Owls of Maryland: https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/habitat/waowls.aspx
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Barred Owl Identification: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/id
Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Green Heron (Top of Page 2): https://dnr.maryland.gov/parkquest/Documents/PQ_NewGermany.pdf
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Green Heron Identification: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Green_Heron/id
Images
Barred Owl: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/barred-owl
Green Heron: https://fireislandandbeyond.com/long-island-wildlife-bird-week-green-heron/
1: The Barred Owl
The barred owl is named after the horizontal barred pattern of feathers running along its chest and the vertical bars on its underside. They do not have any ear tufts, and tend to be about 16.9 - 19.7 inches in length. These owls are usually found in wooded areas close to bodies of water such as rivers, creeks, and streams. They eat mainly voles along with birds, frogs, crayfish, and large insects. I have seen and heard barred owls while hiking the Upper Watts Branch trail in Rockville, Maryland. You can often hear them in the early morning during the summertime on the trail, and if you’re lucky you might see them. The part of the trail you can hear them on starts close to the intersection of Nelson Street and College Parkway, if you walk a little ways up Nelson Street in the direction of Woodley Gardens Pool on the sidewalk to the right side of the street. To hear some barred owl calls CLICK HERE!
2: The Green Heron
Green herons are short and stocky - much smaller than their relative, the great blue heron (which you may have seen before). They have green heads and wings with dark reddish brown chests. They usually keep their necks drawn into their bodies, which can make it look like they don’t have any necks at all. These herons will stand still at the water's edge or on something floating along the water’s surface waiting for fish to come by. Then, they will thrust their beak into the water, trying to catch the fish for food. Along with fish green herons will eat spiders, insects, rodents, crustaceans, and small amphibians and reptiles. They usually are only seen in Maryland during the summer. I have seen and heard green herons near and in Lake New Mark in the New Mark Commons during the summertime. At the “lake” they can sometimes be seen flying from tree to tree or near the water waiting for fish. To hear green heron calls CLICK HERE!
Barred owls and green herons are both interesting species. You’re very lucky if you get to see them - they aren’t seen that often in our area.
Sources
Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Creating a Wild Backyard - Owls of Maryland: https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/habitat/waowls.aspx
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Barred Owl Identification: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/id
Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Green Heron (Top of Page 2): https://dnr.maryland.gov/parkquest/Documents/PQ_NewGermany.pdf
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Green Heron Identification: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Green_Heron/id
Images
Barred Owl: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/barred-owl
Green Heron: https://fireislandandbeyond.com/long-island-wildlife-bird-week-green-heron/