Compressed Northern Pygmy-owl

One of the highlights of a walk this morning was this tiny Northern Pygmy-owl. It is the size of a popcan and is rare to uncommon year-round in Alberta. Perched in a tree with a million small branches (of course!), so no uncluttered photos. Three of us witnessed something that I hadn't seen before - twice when a Chickadee was heard nearby, the owl compressed its round, fluffy body (seen in the previous photo) and it became long and slender and nowhere near as cute. Facial details also changed completely, as can be seen in this photo. White eyebrows appeared and even small ear-tufts.

"Despite their small size, Northern Pygmy Owls are quite fierce, and will attack prey or drive off intruders several times their own size. When one of these owls is threatened, it will puff up its feathers and spread its tail to make itself look larger. When hiding, it tries to look thin, faces the danger, and closes its eyes into slits." From OwlPages.com.

Thanks, Tanya, for sending me the link. Believe it or not, I had checked that website, skimming the page, but obviously missed the important line or two!! I thought this was the reason, as I know the Long-eared Owl, too, puffs up or compresses, depending on the situation. I guess this poor guy/gal didn't want to be mobbed by Chickadees and so tried to look like a branch! Even a Hairy Woodpecker flew to this tree to a nearby branch and there were about six Chickadees annoying the owl.