Due to the Alberta Wilderness Affiliation for this month’s weblog.
Boo! I’m a northern pygmy-owl.
Did I scare you? No? Okay, superb. I can perceive why. I’ve seen my photographs. I appear to be a wide-eyed, diminutive ball of floof and barely weigh greater than a tennis ball. “So cuuuuuute,” individuals at all times intone.
The northern pygmy-owl is a year-round forest resident of British Columbia and southwestern Alberta ( Picture: Wilma McKenzie)
However don’t be fooled by my seems to be; it’s all a ruse. I’m FIERCE. A carnivore with a choice for winged prey, I’ve been recognized to take down birds as huge as northern sparkles and even chickens! And I’m watching you. Or at the least that’s what I would like you to suppose. Due to particular markings on my feathers, it seems as if I’ve eyes at the back of my head. And, sure all of us inform our youngsters we’ve got eyes at the back of our heads so that they’ll behave, however that is a lot extra! If a predator manages to sneak up behind me, they’ll suppose I can see them, which may deter an assault. Sensible, proper? It may additionally hold a bit extra distance between me and the mob of birds attempting to chase me off my perch. With my eyespots, my huge good yellow eyes and white and brown streaked chest, I’m undoubtedly a looker and a spotlight for any birder!
Usually one of the best ways to search out me is to comply with the racket. I’m simply attempting to have a nap (I swear!) however different birds are involved I would eat them or their associates and can gang as much as mob me on my perch. I suppose they DO have motive to be involved, since my favorite meal is songbirds and I hunt by sitting quietly and stunning birds who unwittingly land close by. However can’t I simply nap in peace? Although my favorite snacks have feathers, I’m not choosy and also will eat small mammals and bugs.
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Should you want extra proof of how fierce I’m, if I’m feeling full I would simply impale my leftovers on some thorns for later. What’s that? Shrikes additionally try this? Effectively, I suppose we’re each fairly ferocious little beasts! I’m diurnal, which implies I hunt in the course of the day, however I’m most energetic at daybreak and nightfall.
At 16–18 cm tall, the northern pygmy owl is without doubt one of the smallest of North America’s owls (Picture: Robbie Keene)
Although we’re often secretive, particularly in the course of the nesting season, sometimes we stray into neighbourhoods to hunt, particularly in the course of the winter. It at all times makes me really feel like a celeb, so many individuals get excited to see me or take my photograph. Sadly, typically individuals don’t respect my area and interrupt my searching, or in any other case disturb me. Bear in mind, when you find yourself watching any wildlife species, use respect. Maintain your distance, don’t submit the precise location of a nest or uncommon species on social media, and keep away from stressing us out.
We pygmy owls occupy a variety of forest sorts all through BC and western Alberta. Although we aren’t properly studied, research which have been carried out counsel that we choose older, extra advanced forests. We nest in tree cavities, however aren’t nice at DIY so will both discover a gap in a rotting tree or take over a nest made by woodpecker. The boys will choose a nest website and try to draw the gals with a brief, tooting name. Our obvious choice for mature forests, and wish for nesting cavities, means it’s further necessary to protect these forest landscapes. The work carried out by organizations like Alberta Wilderness Affiliation to preserve and shield these wild locations is necessary for owls like us, in addition to for the songbirds we depend on for dinner!
The Alberta Wilderness Affiliation has been a voice for Alberta’s wilderness, wild waters and wildlife for 60 years. Defending Wild Alberta by means of consciousness and motion, we work to attach the general public to Alberta’s wild areas and encourage individuals to care.
Wish to assist Canadian species just like the northern pygmy-owl and extra? Keep tuned with the most recent in Canadian nature by subscribing for electronic mail updates. You’ll obtain common updates about what we’re doing to guard Canadian nature and how one can assist.