Male or Female Owl?

[J-Netty]

Can anyone tell if this is a male or a female by looking at this picture? It was born early July.

Thanks!

Jeanette

[lovezebs]

J-Netty

I don't know if it's a boy or a girl, but I do know that it's oh so cute, (and I want one, or two, or a dozen......) lol.

Congratulations, baby is adorable .

[Leo519]

J-Netty

Really hard to tell visually, but from the picture I would venture to guess it's a male because the bar around its neck and across the breast looks pretty thick, especially the one around the neck..
And of course, if it sings then you've got yourself a male

[Smurf]

Visualy sexing them is not 100% reliable as the're can be a huge variation in both sexes

These are juveniles nearly finished moult


An obvious pair (fawn hen on right)


Less obvious proven pair (hen on left)


As can be seen from last photo sexing them visualy is not always reliable

[monotwine]

Padraic is right. Its real difficult to sex them by picture alone as they are very variable.

I'd hazard a guess your baby is a hen. This based on the head marking being rather narrow (in acceptable general identifying terms the males have a broader head and wider black marking) and the bars do seem more like a hens bars to me.

[lovezebs]

Smurf

Holy Crow Padraic...... Are those all yours? How many of these little cuties do you have???? And why is it that I don't have you for a neighbor???

What can you tell me about the personality and nature of these little sweeties? I would love to get some first hand information about them.

[Smurf]

lovezebs , Yes that's the juvenile flight, most them already have new homes waiting for them once moult is finished in a few weeks.

It took a while to get them settled + parent rearing successfully but once 1st pair started rearing the rest quickly followed suit, the're very sociable and hate to be alone whether it's the company of same sex or a mate, although multiple pairs in same flight can cause issues once nest boxes are introduced like with most species. The've a very curious happy nature to them always watching to see what i'm doing and calling out to be noticed. I'd definately say the're a must for any collection

[lovezebs]

Smurf

Oh Padraic......

What are you doing to me boyo...... Now I'll have to try and get some.......

Go to confession, my good fellow, as you are the voice of temptation