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The boreal owl is a unique representative of the owl family, its size is so small that if it weren’t for its characteristic eyes and magnificent plumage, he could completely pass for a representative of another family. Its maximum weight does not exceed 200 grams. This bird can easily fit in the palm of your hand, taking there a couple of steps.
Kinds
There are only four known varieties of this bird, the main one is the boreal owl. And the remaining varieties were named by ornithologists on a territorial basis and combined into a single group. The first of the bipedal owls of this group was named North American, given its habitat. The next bird from this group, living in Mexico, was named after the country of its habitat. And, finally, the last of this group of bore owls received, for well-known reasons, the name South American.
Appearance
The bird, which has a fairly compact size, has a rounded shape. The main difference, allowing to distinguish a small owl from other representatives of this family, is the fact that the legs of this bird are completely covered with magnificent plumage. And in order to see them, it is necessary to move the plumage, located on the abdomen of an owl.
A boreal owl is easy to imagine in the form of a head with legs - due to the fact that its body is inferior in size to a gigantic head. But the wingspan is very impressive, it is 50 centimeters, which is quite impressive for its small dimensions. The tail of this owl has a short size, but it is quite wide in shape, the bird's eyes, in the manner of all owls, have a bright yellow color.
The plumage of the little hunter is colorful, against a brown-chestnut background there are blotches of white color, alternating with gray blotches of the same size. The color of the back of a bipedal owl is combined with the color of its wings and shoulders, it forms a darker shade than the color that colors the chest and the rather large face of the bird. The lower part of the bird's body is painted in predominant light colors, it is dotted with medium-sized stripes and blotches of brown color. When the chicks of an unusual bird get their first cover from plumage, its color looks more monotonous and consists of dark tones.
The South American representative of this species has a particularly unusual color, which attracts additional interest in the bird. The thoracic region and the oval that forms the face of the bird are painted in a pale red shade, which is monophonic. On the back, as well as on the wings of the bird, there is a plumage that has a grayish-brown color, in this part of the body the color of the plumage of the bird is diluted with multiple small white dots.
A headdress in the form of a black cap is coquettishly placed on the head of a South American dandy. The expressive eyes of this bird have a characteristic eyeliner, consisting of many small black spots, the direction of which is formed upward, approaching the massive eyebrows.Such a cosmetic technique gives the eyes of a small bird a theatrical expression, likened to surprise. The species of the bipedal owl living on the South American continent is considered one of the rarest species of owls - these birds were specially protected by representatives of local authorities.
Representatives of the borefoot owls living in North America are characterized by even smaller sizes. The main hue of the color of this feathered hunter is represented in brown, its back is full of many small spots, and the chest has a white plumage. The sounds that form the voice of this bird resemble a flute melody. But at the moment of danger, she is able to make frightening sounds, consisting of loud jerky screams, alternating with a long whistle.
Favorite Habitats
The boreal owl, called ordinary, lives in the Northern Hemisphere; its large populations live in taiga regions of Siberia, in the central as well as southern parts of the Russian Federation, in the valleys of the Caucasus, in the Altai Territory and Transbaikalia. It can also be found in the Far East. In addition, the bird has spread in Europe and in Canada.
Owls of this species prefer to settle in forests located on the plains or in the mountains. They are more attracted to coniferous forests or of mixed nature than deciduous groves. This nocturnal bird is particularly careful, it is almost impossible to find it in the forest.
The boreal owl prefers the nocturnal hunting method, appearing in the forest only with the onset of complete darkness. He builds his nests in the hollows of trees, he likes the hollows built by the black woodpecker more, although this bird can easily settle in shelters created by artificial means.
Night Hunter Diet
The main prey of this owl are various small rodents. In winter, when snow falls, he has to eat small birds from the order of passerines. In addition, in the winter he is saved by supplies that the thrifty hunter hides in the hollow.
The boreal owl hears well and is distinguished by excellent eyesight, he carefully seeks out his prey, sitting on a branch, not high above the ground. Having noticed its purpose, the bird makes a rapid throw, clinging its prey with sharp claws.
Video: Boreal Owl (Aegolius funereus)
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