Cape Town - Spotted eagle-owlets found nested on the field next to the Tokai Pony Club Arena have recently left the nest but will remain vulnerable on the ground for the next few weeks while they grow and learn to fly.
With this being the most dangerous time of a spotted eagle-owl’s life, NPO Parkscape has requested that all dog-walkers leash and control their dogs when on the field to prevent them harassing the vulnerable baby owls, particularly dog-walkers who park in Hawthorne Close.
Parkscape founder Nicky Schmidt said the owlets drop from their nests and learn to fledge from the ground, where they are extremely vulnerable to predators as they are unable to fly, although the parent birds stay close by to bring the owlets food and try to fend off any predators.
In urban environments, Schmidt said, predators included domestic cats and dogs, and in the Lower Tokai plantation area, because the forest and field were so popular with dog-walkers, off-leash dogs were a real threat.
“It is critical that for the next few weeks dog-walkers be aware of the presence of the owls, and leash and control their dogs,” said Schmidt.
Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham said the distinguishing features of the spotted eagle-owl were the prominent tufts of feathers on either side of its head, and its bright yellow eyes.
Cape Bird Club leader Margaret Maciver said this particular pair of spotted eagle owls have been nesting there without problems, but there were concerns about this year’s brood as one of their owlets did not return to the rest of the family.
“Spotted eagle-owls are fairly common in Tokai, but as they hide away and sleep all day, most homeowners don’t know it. Sadly, many homeowners put down rat poison, and if a spotted eagle owl (or any owl) finds and eats it, it dies a long, horrid death.”