Posted by Vincent Jones on June 12, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Took this today when I was called out to a young Tawny Owl that was found sat at a base of tree. The tree contained a natural hollow & it was this young Owl that caused a bit of distress to local dog walkers. Owl was simply placed back into the tree on a branch close to the hole, job done & everyone happy.
This young Owl probably thought that those humans had a real problem I was very pleased that they didn't pick it up to take home, as some walkers normally do.
This is simply a point & shoot shot for record purposes.
Using D2X & 105mm VR Macro.
Note no leg rings
I don't get much chance nowadays to get out to do some wild photography so here is a shot when I do.
I wonder if Alan Sugar from the Apprentice looked like this when he was a baby
The Welsh trip 'brigade' had a question about the facial bare parts - the fledged owlet we saw kept its eyes pretty well closed ( I thought possibly as a defense strategy/playing at dead logs), but the eye lids and areas around the bill were very red in coloration almost as if puffy and swollen, is this the normal skin pigmentation, or was indeed our bird sick?
Barrie, I did look for the ring after I uploaded it & I thought nobody would comment, well spotted
Hi Mike,
The image in the link you put up is what a normal young Tawny Owl will look like when an intruder/preditor is close by, this is it's way of trying to blend in like a tree stump to hide it self. The eyes closed like this is normal but don't let the vision of the Owl fool you. By squinting the Owl can see clearly & it will track the movement on what is bothering it.
The Owl is fine & not sick. The red ring round the eyes & beak is normal & is seen on every young Tawny Owlet & even when they become fully fledged (NEW IMAGE ADDED). Note the beak on the new image is covered with feathers so the redness around the beak is hidden. The red pigment of skin on the eyes & beak is a very useful ID method when we try to get people to try & identify the young Owlet they have found.
I hope the above gives the answer to your question
If you take a look at Edwins recent upload of a Tawny Owl, this Owl above is the same bird but a year younger. With Edwins Older Owl you might be able to see that the red ring around the eyes is gone. more black to match the Owls plumage.
Vince
Wot ! no rings !! Good God the BTO will be sueing shortly. The pliers in in hand persons will be leaping in the air saying "Come to me Strix!"
We shall ring thee and discover that you nest in trees and fall out from time to time.!
Robbo cynical ?? -
Never !!
Cheers
John
I forgot to add (c) in the added image above for captive bred, the original image though is (w) . Appoligises
Posted by eric weight on June 13, 2008 at 12:47 AM
Thanks for clearing that question about the eyelids on 'our' young tawny. It really bothered me at the time. My pictures already look better now that I know it wasn't ill.
Photogenic little chap, Vince. Interesting post. Eric
Interesting thread-would love to find a wildy,This is the first year i have heard them and seen adults here-Great to see the young wildy image but the captive one is a beauty
Discussion
11 repliesThis young Owl probably thought that those humans had a real problem
This is simply a point & shoot shot for record purposes.
Using D2X & 105mm VR Macro.
Note no leg rings
I don't get much chance nowadays to get out to do some wild photography so here is a shot when I do.
I wonder if Alan Sugar from the Apprentice looked like this when he was a baby
Very sweet. As for no legs rings...looks like no legs
Well done!
"I wonder if Alan Sugar from the Apprentice looked like this when he was a baby" PMSL
Regards
Rob
The Welsh trip 'brigade' had a question about the facial bare parts - the fledged owlet we saw kept its eyes pretty well closed ( I thought possibly as a defense strategy/playing at dead logs), but the eye lids and areas around the bill were very red in coloration almost as if puffy and swollen, is this the normal skin pigmentation, or was indeed our bird sick?
as a reminder this was our owlet
Barrie, I did look for the ring after I uploaded it & I thought nobody would comment, well spotted
Hi Mike,
The image in the link you put up is what a normal young Tawny Owl will look like when an intruder/preditor is close by, this is it's way of trying to blend in like a tree stump to hide it self. The eyes closed like this is normal but don't let the vision of the Owl fool you. By squinting the Owl can see clearly & it will track the movement on what is bothering it.
The Owl is fine & not sick. The red ring round the eyes & beak is normal & is seen on every young Tawny Owlet & even when they become fully fledged (NEW IMAGE ADDED). Note the beak on the new image is covered with feathers so the redness around the beak is hidden. The red pigment of skin on the eyes & beak is a very useful ID method when we try to get people to try & identify the young Owlet they have found.
I hope the above gives the answer to your question
If you take a look at Edwins recent upload of a Tawny Owl, this Owl above is the same bird but a year younger. With Edwins Older Owl you might be able to see that the red ring around the eyes is gone. more black to match the Owls plumage.
I thought it was just playing at being a stump
David
Wot ! no rings !! Good God the BTO will be sueing shortly. The pliers in in hand persons will be leaping in the air saying "Come to me Strix!"
We shall ring thee and discover that you nest in trees and fall out from time to time.!
Robbo cynical ?? -
Never !!
Cheers
John
Photogenic little chap, Vince. Interesting post.
Great story and interesting thread! Plus something new learnt!
Dave