I was looking around some different science news articles and I stumbled across this webcam, coming out of San Marcos, California. It's focus is a 'common' barn owl (known by the rest of the US bird-watching community as JUST a Barn Owl, or Tyto Alba for the Latin enthusiasts/birding nerds out there), whose host-family has affectionately named her Molly.
Aside from the fact that its becoming an internet sensation (with over 15 million viewers?! sheesh.), it's pretty interesting to see. I don't guarantee that you'll want to watch it for anything over 5 minutes, since it's a tad boring in the minute-to-minute sense; but I find it cool. Here's a link.
Fun fact, which I can almost guarantee no one will care about: the first--and only--Barn Owl that I have seen was in Hereford, Arizona at the San Pedro River Inn. It, too, was in a nest box, and my family was only made aware of its presence by the owner of the inn. Although Barn Owls are native to pretty much the entire United States and a large portion of the rest of the globe, they aren't incredibly common in most areas and being nocturnal, they aren't usually seen unless they live in your barn. It was pretty exciting getting to see the Barn Owls in Arizona, and this webcam just brings back the pleasant memories....
If "Common" Barn Owl are so difficult to find, why are they "just" barn owls? =P
ReplyDeletei only meant to say that common isn't necessary in the name of the barn owl. most US bird-watchers only refer to the bird as a barn owl, not a common barn owl...
ReplyDelete