little owls mobing tawny owl

[tigertom]

Would little owls mob a tawny owl, the reson I ask is, it is what I think was going on this evening in my local park, as I walked though herd then saw little owl out in the open on a branch very close to me so stoped to get better look then to my surprise it called again and this call was returnd by another little owl also close by, it was geting dark so could not see this one, then I herd a tawny hooting and so did little owls who then made a very different call to each other, then the one I was watching took off and headed to were I think tawny owl was and not long after started to hear all sorts of calls one them was the tawny owl but all very heated and sounded like some thing was haveing right go at the tawny owl this went on for about 10 mins dont no for sure but other calls sounded some what like calls I have herd from little owls befor. Would the little owls mob the tawny owl? as this is what it sounded like to me. I was that intrested in what was going on just stood and listened till it all went quite.
Thanks
MIKE


just had look up on both these owls calls and one of calls was little owl alarm call
other call sounded very like the kew-ick of the tawny owl but rather more shrill and fierce than normal

[The Owl man]

This is probably a correct observation. If a Tawny, or any other owl for that matter, strays into a Little Owls territory a high pitched protest will ensuse. Little Owls do often form little gangs and would certain move in close to a trespasser and be very vocal going from a yapping to a shrill rattling sound. I have have been attacked by my own two Little Owls when encrouching into their breeding territory so I see no reason why the would not attack any other trespasser. Hope this helps. Rod

[tigertom]

thanks for that. I no one thing they were makeing a lot of noise in fact if I had not known what it was would of been a bit scarey. did get great look at the one little owl I seen was only about 5ft away when I 1st herd it I did jump at time and it is the 1st time I have seen little owls in this park which dos also have long eared owls as well mainly in winter thats the only time I have seen them.
MIKE

[The Owl man]

Glad to be of help Mike. Also you are quite lucky to be able to observe Longeared Owls, they can be very elusive. Rod

[The Owl man]

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ar..._and_Holly.jpg

My little owls. Rod

[RoyW]

Little Owl is a recorded prey item for Tawny Owls - so it's not too surprising that they aren't overly happy to have a Tawny Owl nearby!

Many raptors will also mob species that are larger than them.

[The Owl man]

RoyW. Yes, and Barn Owls are partial to the ocassional Little owl Burger.

Crows and Rooks are of course the classical mobber. I have watched the residents of a Rookery (during Spring time) rise en masse to see off an inquisitive Golden Eagle. Rod.

[Adam Cheeseman]

There was a photo' article in Birdwatching where a Tawny Owl was shown eating a Little Owl chick.

Cheers,

Adam

[faz]

Tawny owls will take roosting birds this is why when seen in daylight they will be mobbed relentlessly by all the smaller birds