Norfolk Tawny Owls - a very strange happening

Its the 5th of March 2024 and the tawny owls should be close to laying eggs now. They have been spending time in the nest box mutually preening each other to re-affirm their bond. It is not uncommon at this time of year for the male to catch prey and 'gift' it to his female. Today though it was different. The female caught a vole and gifted it to her male.

[@cordulaschultz-wasdakreucht]

Strange! And now the male will lay the eggs?😉

[@Glasgowurbanwildlife]

Absoloutley amazing stuff David! top work mate! loved this!

[@DaveGWIS]

Thanks Steve. This brought my doubts about the ID if the male/female to a head. Facial feather colouring suggests the ringed bird is male but this and other stuff suggests otherwise. Every day a school day with wildlife.

[@ldk4039]

I’ve not heard of sexing tawny by color before, I have heard of in barn owls however . Female barn owls are generally darker with darker face fringe

[@pnw_one_love]

🫶🏼 🦉🦉 🫶🏼

[@margaretcraven4725]

Such an Interesting moment, glad you have put it in a clip for those who missed it live👍

[@baddnurse5443]

Very cute ❤The male receiving even kewick like a female while the owl who caught vole responds with lower OoOoo .Could this be mistaken identity?

[@DaveGWIS]

Yes, that is a possibility @baddnurse5443. If so, the generally accepted difference in facial disc feather colouring of tawny owls can no longer indicate gender with any certainty. Its been a real puzzle for me. Every day is a school day.

[@baddnurse5443]

Thank you David for the kind response. I wasn’t aware of the tawny facial disc dimorphism. I watch another box where the male has the darker face markings as well while the females face is grey . This is very interesting ❤ Hoping for a successful breeding season this year 🤞 Best of luck

[@DOOLMA]

Great vid, cheers David G

[@JuandeFucaU]

yah but he paid for the movie.

[@JA_martinavila]

So interesting! I also have a nest box with camera which it's being occupied by a couple. She is incubating and the male brings 2 or 3 prey per night. Never have i ever recorded a transference from female to male. Look when the male swallows the vole how she preens him. So interesting!

[@HealingTimeTV]

The observation of the "Norfolk Tawny Owls" is very interesting. Has the behavior of males and females changed? Very amazing

[@lesleym6952]

Fantastic video - thank you for sharing David 😊

[@siouxiet4525]

When will you be streaming again @David G

[@DaveGWIS]

I really don't know @siouxiet4525 I'm afraid. I have problems with the camera system and it looks like I need access to the nest box area to fix it. I cannot do that while the tawny is in residence of course. Very frustrating. Sorry

[@tiggy7429]

Was lucky to watch this as it happened, brilliant 👍

[@sidensvans67]

Excellent .

[@hannybeks]

Amazing what happened, thank you for sharing this🙏👌