Snowy Owl vs. Peregrine Falcon

Snowy Owl vs. Peregrine Falcon

Snowy Owl vs. Peregrine Falcon

Snowy Owl vs. Peregrine Falcon

This astonishing duel between a Snowy Owl and a Peregrine Falcon took place in a Chicago park back in January. The duel was photographed by bird enthusiast Rick Remington. It ended in a draw.

I could tell just before the Falcon would attack by the way the Owl crouched down and got ready to lunge. It would do a somersault just as the Peregrine approached and flash its nasty talons in an attempt to scare off the Falcon. The battle lasted for 5 full minutes before the Falcon headed off in another direction and the Snowy Owl flew down to the rocks by the lake. It was a surprisingly violent and noisy encounter, with both birds shrieking loudly and the owl extending its giant wings to intimidate the smaller falcon. I fully expected this to end badly for the owl based on what I was watching. In spite of the obvious mismatch, the Snowy Owl managed to hold its own and escape unscathed.

Thanks to Jennifer Lynch for the tip.

E.D.W. Lynch
E.D.W. Lynch

Writer and humor generalist on the Internet and on Facebook.