Some pictures of what hides under an owl’s majestic feathers have gone viral and are changing the way most people see these birds.
For those who have ever wondered what is hidden beneath an owl’s feathers, wonder no more. The pictures have already gone viral, and as it turns out, it’s not what you may think.
As it turns out, owls have really long, and really skinny legs. And that is a surprise to many, as there have been plenty of people reacting to the pictures online.
The reactions were mixed, with some people unable to stop giggling, and others unable to erase the mental image of the owl’s long and spindly legs.
So let us all take a moment and bask in the bizarre cuteness that is a very leggy owl.
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
