This expression is to remind us that despite what she looks like, she is not up for cuddles. The fluffy feathers surrounding her beak act like whiskers. Owls have such great distance vision that their close vision suffers. Those feathers help sense things close to her face, like food and hungry owlet beaks.
From DuPage Wildlife Conservation
Our patient of the week is just a short-term visitor, both to Illinois and to the hospital. Snowy owls are winter migrants, and some years show up in greater numbers than others. There have been scattered sightings in the area this winter.
This bird was found near O’Hare airport with some visible bleeding. Upon arrival, clinic staff discovered a wound under the wing and one on her foot. Because we see plenty of raptors with rodenticide poisoning, including snowy owls, we were initially concerned. Bloodwork (red blood cell level and clotting time) and radiographs (X-rays) were performed and thankfully, no significant findings were noted. Both wounds healed quickly and didn’t require long-term management.
Snowy owls live in the arctic tundra most of the year and are well equipped for that lifestyle. Dense and plentiful feathers insulate from head to talons. She has been perfectly comfortable with our temperatures, but not so much with her surroundings. These birds are not as used to human interaction and developed areas as our year-round owls are. The open areas around airports or even large parking lots resemble the habitat they know, making these attractive roosting spots. The snowy owls that fly south in search of food resources end up in areas with far more traffic (people and vehicles) that can expose them to potential dangers.
Happily for this bird, she only needed to stay for a week and was already released!
The presence of humans deeply offends her!
I am offended by the presence of (most) other humans as well, little owl. I understand you.
I enjoyed the Solitude post from yesterday! 😆
She’s so expressive 😄
She is ready to get back to business!
This owl was not short on sass!
Omg I have a photo of my toddler making that exact face. This pic will go right next to it and straight to the printer!
PS. Obligatory thank you for keeping the community alive. I been on and off Lemmy for a while (over a few accounts) and this space has been a constant. One of the very few places that shine a light in this bleak world.
It has been amazing the consistent comments I’ve gotten about how much people look forward to coming here. I’m glad people have a good time and are actually interested in learning about the animals as much as they like the fun/cute photos.
I know I’ve learned so much and continue to do so. I’ve gotten at least one other person to volunteer at a wild animal rescue, and I think I will be at one myself this year, so at least in a small way, being here has changed the world for the better at least a little bit.
I’m very glad you and everyone else has an enjoyable place here.
I’ve never seen an animal look so happy, that may be the cutest picture i’ve ever seen! <3
Noooo, she’s trying to look terrifying! 😧🥰😁
Mission failed 😍
She was quickly moved to an outdoor enclosure in our new raptor barn since she didn’t need regular treatments and much preferred time alone and outside. She only stayed for a week before release!
Staff are taking appropriate precautions when handling high risk bird species while avian flu is a concern. While raptor species have been heavily impacted, this owl had no symptoms to suggest she was sick
The more heavily streaked feathers and size of this bird indicate that she is a female. The males, especially as they age, have less streaking and can even be almost pure white. The larger females stay on the nest and have more markings to help them camouflage.
A truly superb… owl! (hahaha, Superb owl… Superbowl!!)
It humbly accepts your accolades! 😁
Owls have incredible feet. Not only do they have especially strong muscles in their legs and feet to seize prey, but their talons are long and sharp. One of their toes can even rotate forward or backward as needed for hunting or perching comfortably. In the case of a snowy owl that spends a lot of time on frozen ground, that foot is surrounded by thick feathers to insulate and act as snowshoes.
Looks like he has a thick mustache! :D
Since they can’t move their eyeballs, the moustache lets them “see” in front of the beak. They’re called rictal bristles!
I actually searched it up, turns out the reason for why rictal bristles exist is still unknown. So my theory of it actually being a mustache is still on the table 😂
It’s amazing how we are all familiar with owls, but there is so much we still don’t know about them.
Them being nocturnal, silent, and ferociously antisocial and uncooperative has made them a difficult animals to study even though you can find one nearly anywhere.
I admire that anti-authoritarian attitude! 😁
Basically airborne cats.
