DIET AND FEEDING

Surviving mostly on small animals, the bird may hunt from dawn to dusk, but more frequently at dawn. They rely on their exceptional hearing and binocular vision to track down and capture prey. The primary target of the birds are mammals—including small creatures like field mice and meadow voles, or larger animals such as opossums, bats, squirrels, rabbits, weasels, and minks. When eyeing aquatic prey (crayfish, frogs, turtles, and fish), the Day Hoot will slowly wade into the water before quickly grasping the small meal in its talons. After rain, worms are an easy and quick meal enjoyed by the birds. When more desirable prey is unavailable, the Day Hoot will feed on beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, lizards, or slugs. Only in dire situations will this bird hunt snakes, for they fear the poisonous bite of the Copperhead. Unlike their counterparts, the Day Hoot does not normally consume other avian birds but will occasionally pick up a domesticated chicken or duck to carry back to a feeding perch. If in…