Mystery of the Powerful Owl tail feathers

["Philip Veerman" <>]

I agree with Leo. On looking closer at Thursday's photo than I did before, I see that the tail is up above the wing tips and directed more towards the photographer, making the tail hard at first glance look like part of the wings and look shorter than it is. It is visible between the wing tips which are below the tail. On today's photo it is a more normal posture with the tail down, so square on to the photographer. Both show the tip of the tail feathers are quite frayed. Wing moult looks the same on the two photos.

 

Philip

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Leo Berzins [
Sent: Saturday, 13 December 2014 3:50 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Mystery of the Powerful Owl tail feathers

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.

 

Regards,
Leo.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/0ystercatcher/

 

 

From:

Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2014 3:26 PM

To:

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               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