Photographer and birder Steve Spitzer recently came across a unique sight in Loyola Park Beach, Chicago – a great horned owl swimming across a lake.
The bird had been attacked by two Peregrine Falcons and sought refuge in the water. Spitzer hurried to help it, but was surprised when the owl simply started swimming to safety. As the owl isn’t a water bird, it swam almost like a human, keeping its head above the water and doing a breast stroke.
Finding an owl confronted by two falcons over water in daylight is also quite unusual – the great horned owl isn’t native to water and it is also a nocturnal animal. At this time of year, however, young owls have to leave their parents’ territories and find their own. In this case, the area belonged to falcons, which are very territorial.
More info: Flickr (h/t: dailymail, thedodo)
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I saw this from Audubon magazine and bird is ok - was being chased by a raptor and needed to escape, water was the only option.
I got the impression of an injured wing? I also hope he is ok. On a lighter note - did he beat Chad le Clos butterfly record?
thank you for sharing this info! So happy to know he was ok.
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Nothing funny here and it seems the owl'd left wing is partially broken, or problematic.
Having rescued many birds.The story here is mistaken.Owl was sick and that is why it was attacked and when in water ANY birds tries to swim.
It appears that his left wing is hurt. I hope someone will keep an eye on him.
I like the third image, the owl's like "what you looking at human" lol.
I agree. It dos look like an injury to his wing. Hope the photographer stayed long enough to see if the bird could fly..
I saw this from Audubon magazine and bird is ok - was being chased by a raptor and needed to escape, water was the only option.
I got the impression of an injured wing? I also hope he is ok. On a lighter note - did he beat Chad le Clos butterfly record?
thank you for sharing this info! So happy to know he was ok.
Load More Replies... Nothing funny here and it seems the owl'd left wing is partially broken, or problematic.
Having rescued many birds.The story here is mistaken.Owl was sick and that is why it was attacked and when in water ANY birds tries to swim.
It appears that his left wing is hurt. I hope someone will keep an eye on him.
I like the third image, the owl's like "what you looking at human" lol.
I agree. It dos look like an injury to his wing. Hope the photographer stayed long enough to see if the bird could fly..
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