Date: 1/12/25 4:23 pm From: Andrew Bechdel <andrewbechdel...> Subject: GHOWs at Harvest Fields
Hi all,
Earlier this evening I heard and saw 2 GHOWs at Harvest Fields Community
Trails in Boalsburg. Initially, I heard GHOW hooting at sunset and followed
the sounds up the trail. Eventually, I located the initial GHOW in the
treetops about 150 yards east of the trail (towards Tussey Ski Area). The
hooting became louder and more frequent and a 2nd GHOW (a presumed mate)
responded for a couple rounds of hooting. Following the dueting, the 2nd
GHOW flew towards the initial GHOW, and exchanged the perch (or nest!?) by
hovering over it, screaming, and laying up. Then, the initial GHOW flew
north towards the parking lot. When I got back to the parking area, the
initial GHOW was hooting from the nearby residences.
Unfortunately, I did not have binos, birds were distant, and lighting was
poor. Thus, I couldn’t see any nest construction or the exchange in great
detail.
Does anyone know if this represents typical GHOW breeding and/or
territorial behavior? Nest defense?
Bird of the World states that during the nesting period, males are solely
responsible for hunting and feeding young while females incubate. It also
states that screaming is usually given during nest defense.
