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Topic Categories: Birding • Education • Mystery Birds • Ornithology • Photography • Teaching
Posted on: March 11, 2009 9:59 AM, by "GrrlScientist"
tags: Elf Owl, Micrathene whitneyi, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Elf Owl, Micrathene whitneyi, photographed outside a gorgeous little bed and breakfast on the outskirts of Tucson, Arizona. [I will identify this bird for you tomorrow]
Image: Terry Sohl, 7 May 2008 [larger view].
Photo taken with a Canon 50D, 400 5.6L.
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
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Comments
Would it qualify as an LBJ?
Posted by: Bob O'H | March 11, 2009 10:29 AM
I'm calling that a Northern Pygmy-Owl, based mainly on the "spotted", rather than "streaked", crown (Sibley).
Posted by: John Callender | March 11, 2009 12:03 PM
It's an Elf Owl. Note the dark bill...Pygmy owls usually have a yellowish bill.
Posted by: NateB | March 11, 2009 1:26 PM
it's not really an LBJ because LBJs lack talons.
Posted by: "GrrlScientist" | March 11, 2009 2:57 PM
Ah, so an LBJWT, then?
I'm trying to learn the terminology, but it's hard.
Posted by: Bob O'H | March 11, 2009 3:18 PM
LBJ = Little Brown Job. Colloquial for "I have no idea what that is because all those damn little brown birds look alike to me!"
Posted by: Michelle | March 11, 2009 4:53 PM
Forgot to mention the tail. Northern Pygmy Owls have long tails, and Elf Owls don't.
Posted by: NateB | March 11, 2009 8:44 PM
I would agree Elf Owl the wings extend past the tail i.e. short tail, white rye brows, and white stripe above the wing.
Posted by: Rick | March 11, 2009 9:39 PM