tags: Burrowing Owl, Speotyto cunicularia, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Burrowing Owl, Speotyto cunicularia, photographed on Antelope Island, a wonderful birding location north of Salt Lake City, Utah. [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]
Image: Terry Sohl, 27 July 2009 [larger view]
Canon 50D, 400 5.6L lens.
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Burrowing owl? The forward-facing yellow eyes and dark brown plumage are big hints.
Plus it seems to be on, or coming out of, the ground. And you told us it was a North American species...
It could be an Australian owl that has managed to burrow its way through. None of you thought of that, did you? Eh?
Finally one that I know. Burrowing Owl.
They are ubiquitous here in South Florida. I swear there's one under every driveway culvert.
Some of my own photos of Burrowing Owls in here:
http://spaceweather.com/joshua/DIGITAL_PHOTOS
This individual allowed me to get as close as three feet or so, then turned on the threatening display and growling.