Omaha Birds to Look for in January and February

December 18, 2024

Lively in Winter: Birds to look and listen for in January and February

byConor Gearin

A Barred Owl perches in a tree with bare branches

Winter: the least exciting time of year for birds, right? Well, it depends on the bird! Though most North American birds mate in the summer, many owls, including the Great Horned Owl, have it flipped. They pair up in the bleak midwinter, often with eggs in the nest before the end of January. Their young will hatch in early spring, then spend the warm months of the year under their parents’ care, slowly learning to fly and hunt. The early hatching time gives them the chance to have a longer childhood than, say, Robin chicks, which are off and running on their own in just a couple of weeks.

What this means is lots of owl activity in January and February as they seek out mates and hunt prey to sustain their growing families. Barred Owl mates duetting at night, called “caterwauling,” provides a singular soundtrack for midwinter. Males sing their “Who-cooks-for-you!” song, and females respond in a higher pitch. The pair wind each other up and make their calls more complex as they go; sometimes, several nearby Barred Owls join in, so that it sounds like a troop of monkeys has invaded the neighborhood. Listen for Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls and more at night. While it’s easier to spot owls on winter days when the trees are bare, remember to keep your distance and give nesting owls plenty of space. Owls’ tolerance for human visitors can vary, so err on the side of caution. The goal is to make sure they continue to share our cities with us and successfully raise their young.

Other highlights of winter birding include massive flocks of Snow Geese in bare crop fields, along with Horned Larks dashing on the ground looking for waste grain. It’s a great time to get a close look at waterfowl overwintering in our area.

If you want to work on discriminating the smaller Cackling Goose from the larger Canada Goose, check out Walnut Creek Lake and other local water bodies where they are reliably found.

And if you’re not interested in enduring the cold and wind for “fun,” fear not. The winter months are also the peak time for bird feeding. Bird activity can wax and wane at feeders, so don’t get too discouraged by a slow day or two. Cold weather makes birds eager for an easy meal of seeds or suet, leading to great bird diversity you can enjoy from behind a window with a hot beverage. Remember to keep your feeders free of disease by cleaning with diluted bleach at least once a week. This can prevent the spread of conjunctivitis, salmonella, and other illnesses that can spread among songbird flocks in winter.

In our local parks and backyards, look and listen for mixed-species groups of songbirds banding together to find food in the winter. Often following the lead of a chickadee or titmouse, these tiny birds have what it takes to find sustenance when the temps are in the teens and a harsh wind is blowing.

Find a tougher Nebraskan than that — I dare ya.