canberrabirds

Mystery of the Powerful Owl tail feathers

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Subject: Mystery of the Powerful Owl tail feathers
From: Con Boekel <>
Date: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 16:05:11 +1100
Robin, Leo

It might be that the wings in the 'tail-less' shot are being held much lower than the wings in the 'be-tailed' shot.

regards

Con

On 13/12/2014 3:50 PM, Leo Berzins wrote:
Nicely captured Robin.
 
Of the three options you offered, I think (a) is closest. It just seems to me that the tail is angled more downward and leftward on the Saturday photo.
 
Also, the tail of the prey indicates a Sugar Glider rather than a possum.
 

 
 
Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2014 3:26 PM
Subject: [canberrabirds] Mystery of the Powerful Owl tail feathers
 
On Thursday I posted a picture of the Powerful Owl - and Con pointed out it was minus its tail feathers. The speculation was that it was molting. However, I went back just now (Saturday) after hearing it was munching on a possum - and took another photo that clearly shows tail feathers.

Thursday picture Saturday picture
Thursday               Saturday
(click on either thumbnail for larger view)

Theories: (a) Thursday's picture contains an optical illusion, (b) feathers have re-grown very rapidly, (c) a pair of owls sharing the same perch?

-- 
Regards ... Robin Eckermann
02-6161-6161   or   0418-630-555

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