Burrowing Owl

Gallery: AvianPosted April 19, 20053,513 views29 comments

Richard Ditch's Inca Dove had a few theories as to why that bird was all fluffed up. This owl's similar behaviour lasted only a few seconds, which led me to believe that it did that just to feel "all shook up". My apologies for being one track - sorry, I mean burrowing owl - minded at this time.

Thanks for looking and I invite further theories from all as to why birds do this.

1DMkII, 500mm, 1/2500 @f4 (anticipating flight!), ISO320, late afternoon light, cropped a bit left & right, cloned small OOF plant bottom left

Comments

29 comments

Comment posted by Kai Hui on April 19, 2005 at 12:53 AM

Looks like you hava had great fun with those guys. They are all lovely.

Registered on May 10, 2004, 133 Posts, 574 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Zeiler on April 19, 2005 at 12:57 AM

That is a beautiful shot!!

The parrot I used to have did that, always after a good preen. She would finish preening, then puff out and shake out all the feathers, and then shake her tail side to side really fast. They're just shaking off all the debris that they got out of their feathers.

Registered on March 10, 2005, 15 Posts, 38 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 19, 2005 at 1:35 AM

An excellent image - as good as I've seen for this species.

Since this only lasted a few seconds I agree with Brian's explanation. I've had Curve-billed Thrasher do this as well.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by LG Price on April 19, 2005 at 6:06 AM

I have enjoyed your burrowing owl photo so much. Thanks for posting.

Registered on March 9, 2005, 160 Posts, 1500 Comments

Comment posted by Lesley Mattuchio on April 19, 2005 at 6:21 AM

Stunning light...stunning shot!

Registered on July 14, 2004, 36 Posts, 322 Comments

Comment posted by Juza on April 19, 2005 at 6:36 AM

Hi Kwan,
there is so much to like about this image...light, details, colors...wonderful!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 374 Posts, 10466 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Ross on April 19, 2005 at 7:29 AM

Great shot, the fluffed out feathers make the shot, nice light as well.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2729 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Kuntz on April 19, 2005 at 7:35 AM

Great shot and wonderful light!

Keep 'em coming, Kwan!!

Registered on February 24, 2005, 9 Posts, 155 Comments

Comment posted by Kenneth Kijewski on April 19, 2005 at 7:45 AM

This is a stunning shot, KC!!!

Registered on February 17, 2004, 166 Posts, 3390 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on April 19, 2005 at 7:57 AM

Stunning shot KC, absolutely gorgeous!

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Wooldridge on April 19, 2005 at 8:30 AM

Stunning Kwan....Wonderful. I agree with Richard....this is perhaps the best image of this species that I have ever seen.

Registered on September 30, 2004, 76 Posts, 341 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Neiger on April 19, 2005 at 8:40 AM

Stunning image, Kwan!

I think birds do this to re-arrange their feathers and to get them to lay correctly and comfortably. Sort of like a human shrugging shoulders and wiggling around to get clothing to lay straight.

Registered on July 9, 2004, 294 Posts, 202 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Grey on April 19, 2005 at 9:50 AM

One of the best I've seen, Kwan -- superb!

Registered on December 2, 2003, 144 Posts, 2069 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Steele on April 19, 2005 at 10:49 AM

Absolutely gorgeous in every way!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 354 Posts, 13896 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Dubois on April 19, 2005 at 11:08 AM

This really is a special shot Kwan. Not just the techs and the light but the mood you've captured is really magical. Your passion for bird photography is really showing in your work. Well done my friend.

Registered on February 22, 2005, 129 Posts, 4739 Comments

Comment posted by Ernie Kuo on April 19, 2005 at 11:11 AM

Nice one, Kwan.

We will have to top this one in the coming weekend won't we?

Registered on June 10, 2004, 152 Posts, 1089 Comments

Comment posted by Pei-hsin Hsu on April 19, 2005 at 11:59 AM

What a gorgeous burrowing owl basking in golden background!

A golden ratio crop (approximately 3:2) with more space on LHS would be even better.

Registered on January 1, 2004, 21 Posts, 196 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Dance on April 19, 2005 at 1:15 PM

Wonderful light and well executed - maybe the best so far in a fine series of burrowing owl shots.

Registered on April 7, 2005, 65 Posts, 428 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Danzenbaker on April 19, 2005 at 1:44 PM

The light really makes this shot !

Registered on December 2, 2003, 40 Posts, 791 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zipp on April 19, 2005 at 5:00 PM

I believe this is called rousing. Most birds do this as a part of the preening process. There is an example of a peregrine "rousing" on this page on my site.

<a href="http://www.jimzipp.com/pg.htm" target="_blank">www.jimzipp.com/pg.htm</a>

This burrowing owl is one of the best I've seen!!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 86 Posts, 940 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff on April 19, 2005 at 9:04 PM

No need to apologize for posting these!! I wish they wee mine

Keep 'em coming!! I could never tire of raptors!

Registered on March 12, 2005, 17 Posts, 31 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on April 20, 2005 at 9:04 AM

Thank you, everyone, for helping me along the way, and getting me to (what Ed and I refer to as) the "magic 20" comments. I was lousy in my first round of a tournament, but you made my day! Thanks!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Ernie Kuo on April 20, 2005 at 11:09 AM

Keep your eyes on the ball, Kwan, not on the birds around the golf course.

I hope you will do better in the second round.

Registered on June 10, 2004, 152 Posts, 1089 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on April 20, 2005 at 8:44 PM

It's all already been said. This is fantastic.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Royse on April 21, 2005 at 9:57 AM

Wonderful in all aspects!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 218 Posts, 2427 Comments

Comment posted by Ganesh H Shankar on April 24, 2005 at 9:08 AM

Stands there like a jewel. Like it to say the least..

Registered on March 1, 2004, 324 Posts, 1867 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Benner on April 27, 2005 at 5:22 AM

Absolutely wonderful. Great light. Great background. Just perfect.

Registered on December 8, 2003, 482 Posts, 1868 Comments

Comment posted by Ched Bradley on May 19, 2005 at 8:36 AM

After years with cockatiels, I've observed that they do this in several situations: (1) if they're cold they'll seek warmth by trapping more air between their feathers, (2) after preening (as mentioned above) to shake out feather debris and dander, and (3) prior to settling down for a nap.

Lovely shot!

Registered on November 19, 2004, 34 Posts, 58 Comments

Comment posted by Juan Aragones on October 1, 2006 at 10:25 AM

Sweet light and very nice pose. I love the eye detail and that fluffed plumage.

Registered on September 28, 2006, 72 Posts, 779 Comments