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This time of year is a bit slow. Migratory season is coming to an end and nesting season isn't quite here yet. A lot of what is coming through my feeds looks all the same to me and it's a bit uninspiring some days.

Are there any birds or topics you'd like to hear about?

You want more rare birds? There isn't always much to say about them, since there aren't many photos or facts, so I don't always cover them much.

Got any anatomy or physiology questions? I like reading about flight, digestion, respiration, etc but most of you seem to enjoy more lighthearted things than technical, but I'm sure some of you have questions.

Is there just some particular owl you'd like to see more of? I usually post new things, but if you just want to see more of something special, I can browse the owl archives. Or is there a part of the world you'd like to know about. South America and Australia I'd say are the least covered recently.

Let me know!

From Krzysztof Baranowski

Tawny owls (Strix aluco) had been trying to nest in a hollow nearby, but it seems raccoons took over. Still, it's amazing to see them around, holding their ground in the forest.

Germany, 6/2024

Canon R6 Mk II

RF 400mm F2.8 @560mm

1/180s, F4 ISO640

From Kim Marriott

Young Marsh Owl

From John Barwell

Decided to revisit and re-edit some of my earliest wildlife photos from nearly two years ago. A Great Horned Owl and her owlets-one of the moments that pulled me deeper into wildlife photography.

From Bird Guides

New data indicate that Finland's Great Grey Owl population has risen modestly in recent years, suggesting that this enigmatic and much-sought-species may be adapting to changing environmental conditions.

The trend bucks expectations for an owl closely tied to cold, boreal habitats and highlights the complexity of responses to climate change.

Long-term monitoring, including national surveys and assessments, shows an increase of some 8-9% in Finland's Great Grey Owl numbers over recent years, as reported by Ornithomedia. There has been some redistribution within the country's range, too; Central Finland has seen declines offset by gains in northern areas, while the overall trend remains positive.

The species typically favours extensive boreal forest and relies on small mammals such as voles for food. Its population has historically been limited by fluctuating prey cycles and habitat constraints.

Researchers suggest that warmer conditions and milder winters may be influencing survival and distribution patterns, although the precise mechanisms remain unclear. In other northern European countries, range shifts have been documented with owls establishing further south or west than in previous decades – a pattern that may partly reflect changing climate regimes alongside natural population dynamics.

Despite this encouraging signal for Finland's Great Grey Owls, conservationists caution that the species remains dependent on healthy forest ecosystems and regular prey availability. Broader climate change effects, including altered snow cover and unpredictable vole cycles, could still pose challenges.

Continued monitoring across Scandinavia will be essential to determine whether recent gains translate into stable long-term recovery or simply reflect short-term fluctuations.

From Owl Rescue Centre

Last week, someone asked me, "How do you catch a wild owl? Do you just call them and they come to you?"

I had to laugh-in over 20,000 rescues, I've never had an owl fly to me just because I called it. I've certainly called out to many, but they never seem to get the memo! 😉

From Eastern Ontario Birding

Snowy Owl...or Snowy Muppet? 😂

From Auburn University Raptor Center

Have you noticed our rehab staff suited up in yellow gowns, face coverings, and bonnets in most of our posts? This isn't a fashion statement - it's PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), and it plays a critical role in keeping everyone safe.

We take maximum precautions with all newly admitted birds, especially right now. HPAI (High Path Avian Influenza) has been confirmed in Alabama and we are taking all precautions. Wearing PPE doesn't just protect our team, it protects every bird in our care, including current patients, foster birds, and our beloved educational ambassadors (yes, even the War Eagle).

A quick reminder about HPAI: High Path Avian Influenza is a contagious virus that can affect both wild and domestic birds and mammals. If you come across a bird that appears sick, unusually quiet, or unable to fly, contact your closest licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance so the bird can receive proper care while minimizing the risk of spreading disease.

By suiting up, we're making sure we can continue providing the highest standard of care while preventing the spread of potential diseases within the center. Thank you for supporting the work we do and helping us keep our patients and our community safe.

From Corey Pettis

A great horned owl sitting on a silo! Croped and uncroped.

From Kendra Disilva

Side eye snowy... I didn't want the same shot as the other 10 ppl standing in front so I moved off to the side and this is what I get!!

From Animal Behavior Conservancy

Tina the burrowing owl is one of our smallest residents, but like any small bird, she takes up a lot of space with her personality. Our Andean condor is steadily molting her primary and secondary wing feathers, and to get a sense of how big they are and how small Tina is, we stacked a newly molted tail feather against each other. This feather is longer than my forearm and not even the condor's longest feather.

I got to see some condors and play around with some of their giant feathers when I was at the National Aviary. Those are some impressively large birds!

From Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge

The Northern Hawk Owl is rarely seen and this is the first time we have had one in care. Found in coniferous and mixed forests that border on marshy areas throughout the northern areas across Canada, they hunt primarily during the day rather than dusk & dawn. This little guy was being attacked by crows as owls are competitors for food. This little owl arrived very thin and displayed a bit of spinal trauma. With a premium diet and medical care we hope he will recover fully over the weeks ahead.