Donetsk, Jul 12 – DAN. All three owl species to which Donetsk is a natural habitat have had chicks, the chief professor of the Donetsk National University Zoology faculty, ornithologist Marina Chaika said.
“From what I’ve been seeing, these are long-eared owls (Asio otus). It can easily be spotted on illuminated streets during the evening hours,” she said. “It likes living by the water. There are also Little owls (Athene noctua), and Eurasian scops owl (Otus scops), who are very small and can rather be heard than seen.”
“By this time, the owls must have had chicks, they should be at least in their nests. Some already learn to fly, to travel and live. Loud high-pitched noises in the evening prove that some chicks are exploring the big world and mama-owl checks on them with these sounds.”
Chaika said that some birds travel south when cold weather sets in, but some remain. Long-eared owls can form up groups and spend winters in urban areas.
These owls are the largest of their kind in Donetsk with 30–40 cm (12–16 in) in length and 50 cm (20 in) wingspan. Tiny Eurasian scops owls reach 15-20 cm (6–9 in) in length and a 30-40 cm (12–16 in) wingspan. *ot