At least it has for the Great Horned Owl
by Lowell Washburn
Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Many of the birds that will nest and rear their young in Iowa backyards this summer are still many hundreds or even thousands of miles to the south, soaking up sunshine and warmth in central or South America.
But there is one dramatic exception. For resident great horned owls, the spring nesting season is currently in full swing. Of all Iowa bird species, horned owls are the earliest to initiate nesting each year. For most pairs, the noisy courtship displays that began in December have nearly concluded. Some females are even setting on eggs, and the first downy chicks will appear next month.
No avian mother is more dedicated. While sitting atop her clutch of two to three eggs, the brooding female endures a solid month of ice, sub-zero wind chills, and may even become covered in several inches of new snow. Regardless of how severe the weather becomes, the female sits tight. To leave the nest would doom eggs to freezing.
During the next two months, the male will be a complete support system for his mate and newly hatched chicks. Great horned males are fierce hunters and will take on virtually anything that flies, hops, or crawls. Rodents and cottontails are the most common fare. More bizarre menu items include crows, cats, and striped skunks. In spite of the fact that late winter supplies of prey items are at low ebb, the family rarely misses a meal.