5 May 2023
After a cold wet week in Pittsburgh it’s hard to imagine being excited about rain but this little owl (Athene noctua) in Britain is loving it. (Yes, “little owl” is his common name.)
Little owls love the rain! ?????
— WildlifeKate (@katemacrae) April 23, 2023
Today Denis, the male little owl, took advantage and enjoyed a fresh water shower. I love the way he spreads his wings and changes position to allow the water to run over his body.
@DenisStr @Natures_Voice @BBCSpringwatch @StowAero pic.twitter.com/pc3AWDDuk7
Thankfully at last today is bright and sunny in Pittsburgh.
By the way, the little owl of Eurasia could be mistaken in photos for our burrowing owl in the Americas. Both are in the genus Athene and they’re the same size and shape. Here they are side-by-side.
(photos from Wikimedia Commons; click on the captions to see the originals)
“Owls, can’t fly in the rain very long. To be silent, they don’t have the natural waterproofing that other birds have on their feathers. If they get wet, they have to wait until they are dry enough to fly again.” Jun 8, 2019
https://birdwatchinghq.com › facts-about-owls