tags: Elf Owl, Micrathene whitneyi, birds, mystery bird, bird ID quiz
[Mystery bird] Elf Owl, Micrathene whitneyi, photographed outside a gorgeous little bed and breakfast on the outskirts of Tucson, Arizona. [I will identify this bird for you tomorrow]
Image: Terry Sohl, 7 May 2008 [larger view].
Photo taken with a Canon 50D, 400 5.6L.
Please name at least one field mark that supports your identification.
Would it qualify as an LBJ?
I'm calling that a Northern Pygmy-Owl, based mainly on the "spotted", rather than "streaked", crown (Sibley).
It's an Elf Owl. Note the dark bill...Pygmy owls usually have a yellowish bill.
it's not really an LBJ because LBJs lack talons.
Ah, so an LBJWT, then?
I'm trying to learn the terminology, but it's hard.
LBJ = Little Brown Job. Colloquial for "I have no idea what that is because all those damn little brown birds look alike to me!"
Forgot to mention the tail. Northern Pygmy Owls have long tails, and Elf Owls don't.
I would agree Elf Owl the wings extend past the tail i.e. short tail, white rye brows, and white stripe above the wing.