Birds with Tufts

Female Horned LarkFemale Horned Lark

Great Horned Owls and Horned Larks are species of birds that have tufts that I photograph regularly here in Utah. The female Horned Larks “horns” or tufts are not usually visible. This female was photographed near the Stansbury Mountains in Tooele County, Utah.

Male Horned LarkMale Horned Lark

The “horns” of male Horned Larks are though and because the “horns” or feather tufts are a dark color they stand out more. This male was photographed near the Stansbury Mountains in Tooele County, Utah on a different day than the female above.

Female Great Horned Owl on Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahFemale Great Horned Owl

The ear tufts of male and female Great Horned Owls are clearly visible and the size of the owls is how to determine gender. This female is larger than male Great Horned Owls. She was photographed on Antelope Island State Park in Davis County, Utah as she rested in a Tamarisk.

Male Great Horned Owl on Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahMale Great Horned Owl

This male was photographed on Antelope Island State Park in Davis County, Utah resting in the same Tamarisk on a different day than the female was photographed. The Tamarisk are an invasive species and have since been chopped down, I think it is a shame that the Tamarisks were not girdled which would have killed them but still left the dead Tamarisk for Owls and other birds of prey to use as perches.

It’s spring, isn’t it? How come there is snow on the ground this morning??? Springtime in Utah is fickle I tell you!

Mia