A Screech Owl Captured by a Snake
A Screech Owl Captured by a Snake
An interesting incident was enacted near our house at the Parker Creek Experiment Station, Tonto National Forest, Arizona, on July 6, 1933. A heavy flapping of wings attracted our attention to an Arizona oak tree (Quercus arizonica) about five yards from the house. Approximately 12 feet from the ground, and quite close to the trunk, a snake over three feet long (probably Pituophis catenifer rutilus) hung suspended by its tail from a small dead limb. The large nart of the snake's body was coiled once around a small owl judged from its color and size to be a screech owl (Otus asio cineraceus). The bird struggled more and more feebly for three or four minutes, and finally was still. When we shot the snake, its body grew slack, and its tail loosened its hold on the limb and began to slip. The owl freed itself and flew away, seemingly uninjured. The owl had apparently been roosting in the tree, and was “stalked” and caught by the snake. Dry Walter P. Taylor was kind enough to give us the probable identification of snake and bird.
Mrs. C. J. Whitfield
Young Route, Globe, Arizona. December 22, 1988
