Inspired by the contributions of Paul Edelman and John Avise, ecologist Susan Harrison nominates her most photogenic bird, which isn’t a songbird but I’ll allow it. Her defense is indented, and you can enlarge the photos by clicking on them. Feel free, if you have good bird pictures, to join the competition.
Western Screech-Owls
They’re not technically songbirds, but they are tiny (5 ounces), eat a lot of insects, live in suburbia, and sing beautifully. I nominate Western Screech-Owls (Megascops kennicottii) for Most Photogenic Songbird in the “Slightly Demonic-Looking” category.
These four Screech-Owls reside in Ashland, Oregon backyards where the homeowners have put out nest boxes. The first two, in adjacent redwood trees, are a father and one of his youngsters. The second two, sitting under the eaves, are a mated pair.
They do sing beautifully. Love the photos but that last picture is a real hoot!
+1
that last picture is a real hoot! Indeed ;o)
Owls are some of my favorite birds so I am happy to second this nomination for the “Slightly Demonic” category. But yellow warblers are cuter!
Beautiful!
Owls belong in a category all of their own. Thanks, these were a real treat.
They live where owners put out nest boxes? Were they owl boxes or songbird boxes? Reminds me of when pygmy owls regularly fed at our bird feeder. Siskins could suddenly explode. It’s the circle of life.
Fantastic photos!
They were owl boxes. Both homes are next to creeks, which apparently is a good place for Screech-Owls. They do get hassled by other cavity nesters and by nest predators, so it’s good to put up multiple boxes and let the owls choose. Or so the nice owl landladies of Ashland told me! Extremely cool about your pygmy owl feeder 🙂
One of my all time favorites too. I contributed a video July 8 2022 on our screechies here in SW Idaho.