It is unlikely that any Great Horned Owl would defend its nest before the eggs have hatched.
The owls incubation is 35 days, at least. This means that the owl would have had to lay its eggs in late December. This has only been documented a handful of times in Colorado.
I find it hard to believe that the bird was defending anything. It is better to believe that the entire thing was a misunderstanding.
When near a Great Horned Owl, the birds will fly away from the intruder. Sometimes they will appear to be flying at the intruder. They are a heavy bird. Due to their weight, when they take off they drop a few feet before flapping hard enough to gain elevation. My guess is that the bird was simply flying away from someone and they took it wrong.
A Great Horned Owl can capture a mouse while it is running. If they wanted to hit someone they would. They wouldn't miss.
Just my thoughts
Estes Park
Agree. Seems better to let it be. Maybe warn hikers of that situation. John Rawinski Monte Vista, CO
--On Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 12:52:49 PM UTC-7 teheinrich@gmail.com wrote:
This article in Boulder's Daily Camera about an owl (Great Horned, I presume) caught my attention:
Seems if the aggression is due to protecting a nest, it would be better not to attempt to relocate the owl.
Thomas HeinrichBoulder, CO
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