by Matthew Cobb
Jonathan Eisen, a professor at the University of California at Davis, posted these lovely little burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) on his Tw*tter feed (@phylogenomics) a few minutes after taking them.
This first one, perched in a tree, looks pretty cross…
This one is by its burrow. Lovely markings, and such an erect stance – maybe it has spied something in the undergrowth.
Nice ones! I love how they always look indignant about something! So cute!
It’s the permanent furrowed brow (maybe that’s where “burrowing owl” comes from?), I think.
They really are quite nifty birds.
b&
aww cute!
Here in Yuma, Arizona, we have many of the burrowing owls, and the kids at our high schools make burrows for them in science class. The do indeed look indignant all the time, and not very friendly! 🙂
I think that the stance (as in the second photo) is typical – can’t recall ever having seen a photo of one in a relaxed-looking stance, as you so often see with other owl species.
On the other hand, it could be the long legs. This species appears to have proportionately longer legs than other, comparably-sized species.
Well, when you sit on a branch, there’s room for your tail to hang down behind you; when you stand on the ground, I guess you need longer legs to keep from dragging your tail. 😀
True enough – hadn’t thought of that.
But it doesn’t seem to matter to all sorts of other ground dwelling birds. Of course, they may just be more slovenly.
Or they have a more passerine-y perching style; body +/- horizontal, vs. the vertical owl posture.
Anyway, great observation about their legs!