Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke of .....

OWL?

This morning we were woken by lots of noise from the resident bird families - particularly the Grey Loerie family that has nested in a tree over our driveway.
The Grey Loerie is also known (now officially) as the "Go Away Bird" due to its distinct call "Go Way" (see foreground bird in picture below).



What was causing all this commotion was the - unwanted (at least by the Loeries anyway) - presence in the nesting tree of a Speckled Horned Owl (at least that's according to the distaff members of the family).



Now christened "Duke of Owl", the owl appears to be about 18" from claw to horns. Duke of Owl is totally unfazed by the other birds and - apart from a beady eye or two - is also unphased by inquisitive humans.

Duke did a vanishing act at around lunchtime after our idiot dog started barking at the estate agent manning a showhouse across the road.
Later this evening, we got a call from a neighbour to let us know that Duke was on their roof - and, sho' 'nuff, there he was. After a half-hour, once it was dark, Duke to his wings once more and flew off into the night...

In the meantime, we've all been wandering around singing:

Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke of Owl,
Duke, Duke, Duke of Owl....

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