The incredible moment was filmed by Andre Thomas.
Andre explains how he had spotted two pearl-spotted owls, intertwined, and hanging from a low branch. “I wasn’t sure if it was a fight for territory or the mating process,” he began.
He filmed the two birds as they displayed this unusual behaviour, taking pictures and videos of the moment. It was later confirmed by an expert that this was the owls’ mating display.
The pearl-spotted owl is no more than 20cm in length. In fact, its body small enough to fit easily into the palm of a hand. Yet its size belies its fierce nature. Despite its diminutive frame, it is a predator, feeding on insects, lizards, and even small birds.
Perhaps most striking of all its features are the two black patches on the back of its head, ringed with white, which resemble eyes. These false eyes deter attackers from behind and lend the owl an uncanny appearance as it peers from its perch.
The mating season for pearl-spotted owls falls during the warmer months when insect activity is at its peak and food is plentiful.
A glimpse into an intimate moment
Andre was given a glimpse into the owl pair’s intimate space.
For this species, courtship begins with sound. Andre explains that these owls were exceptionally vocal. In fact, it was the vocal aspect of the sighting which first drew his attention to the owls!.
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What typically happens during the courtship of the species, is that the male will take to a high perch and call repeatedly. His notes will echo across the landscape in a distinctive rhythm.
The call is persistent, sometimes lasting for hours. For a human listener, it is a melodic whistle. However, for a female owl it is an invitation, a declaration of territory, and a sign of strength.
A remarkable coming together of male and female
When the female approaches the male’s territory, the courtship enters a new phase. The male grows more animated. He will shift from his perch to perform short, fluttering flights, with his wings beating rapidly and his body bobbing.
He might offer prey, such as a small lizard or insect, to the female. This will be carried in his beak and presented as a gift.
If the female accepts, she takes the prey gently from him. She sometimes perches close beside him on the same branch. The two may sit together, preening and calling softly, their bodies nearly touching as the bond strengthens.
The mating display is not dramatic in the way of larger birds like eagles or cranes, but its subtlety carries a charm of its own. The male often puffs out his chest feathers, raising his small crest, making himself appear larger. His whistling notes shift in pitch and tempo, creating a duet with the female as she responds.
Their calls intertwine, rising and falling like a conversation carried on the wind.
For Andre, the effect was mesmerising. He was enthralled by the two tiny owls communicating with a language of sound and movement.
Nest selection usually follows soon after a mating display. Pearl-spotted owls do not carve out their own cavities but rely on existing holes in trees, often those made by woodpeckers or barbets.
More than just a ritual
The mating display is more than just a ritual between two birds. The success of the display ensures that both partners are committed, that the male can provide, and that the female is ready to invest her energy in laying and raising chicks.