Sunday, May 16, 2010

Note: THREE new posts today plus ONE post RE-EDITED substantially...This is exactly the hop-fly I'm talking about when they branch

These are some kind of cliff nesting eagle owls, but their body language is the same as barn owls in the way they hop-fly, rather awkwardly, and test out their wings. Plus it's just super cute to watch:

http://www.beleefdelente.nl/oehoe#1273351978

and:

Another link: This Youtuber - LNcello - has an amazing number of Barn Owl clips - plus clips of other birds such as Kestrals.

http://www.youtube.com/user/LNcello

All these are from HeyNicePlanet. THANK YOU HeyNicePlanet!

-Stacey

12 comments:

carmel67 said...

One of the mods got some great video of both of Max' branching last night. Check out mattclowney channel on you tube.

carmel67 said...

One more thing. For some reason (can't imagine why :) the daytime mods won't post clowneys branching YT video. He's a mod at night and has done SO much work for Carlos. He's a good guy and may give permission to use his videos.

There was a "discussion" about copyright issues last night, but I hardly think Carlos can run around snagging scrapbooks, digital cameras, YT videos, etc.

Take care, I've sent your book to three people so far!

debzone said...

Stacey, @ Carlos box last night, the second time an owlet stepped out (I'm still not convinced it was the same baby each time, the second one wasn't as steady & looked downier to me) just before he did, he threw a hork or a mouse onto the porch. Any ideas about this behavior? (It's apparently still there today)

Anonymous said...

I was up and saw both of the stepping outs. It was definitely the same owlet both times and I'm sure it was the oldest.
I saw something tossed out and Molly came by at some point and seemed to take it away.
I'm also interested in this behavior, Stacey.

Unknown said...

Tonight Carlos stated that when Max was outside the box and stretched out his wings, the wingspan was wider than the box, so therefore there was no way that he was going to fall to the ground - like he would just stretch out his wings and glide down or something! When someone on the chat worried about them not being able to get back to the box, the MODs replied "that's what they have wings for" in their usual mocking tone, because, after all, they have been watching since the owlets hatched and apparently that makes them experts. Carlos also informed the masses that there is no such word as "branching", that it's a "made up word". After I feel my blood pressure rising and have listened to so much inaccuate information being spread with such glee, I come here for the antidote. Thank you, Stacey, for your wisdom and for standing up for the TRUTH.

Stacey O'Brien said...

If his wingspan was wider than the box, then he can't exercise his wings fully until he's outside the box. Wesley's wingspan was the same as ming when I stretched out my arms. So, in order to strengthen his wings, he'll need something outside to hold onto while he bats his wins hard to build he muscles in his wings. Hopefully he will do that and will be able to keep from falling.

I do think that what they've got now is better than what they had before, which was nothing at all.

I guess we'll have to see. In the meantime, we can be working toward seeing to it that ALL owlboxes in American are built with the best interests in the owls at heart!

So, we can take that negative energy an -nd channel it into something good - dare I say GREAT for the future of barn owls!
-Stacey

Stacey O'Brien said...
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Anonymous said...

Amen, Stacey!!

Oh, and, I was the one who was told "that's what they have wings for" to paraphrase.

Off to channel my negative energy!

Unknown said...

Kate, I'm glad to see you here, because I wanted to apologize to you. After you asked your question and the reply was "that's what they have wings for", I said "Ignorance is bliss" and then later worried that you thought I was saying it to you. I was talking about the MODs. The person who made that ignorant statement has been watching since the beginning so he has no excuse for still believing that they will just walk out and fly from the box.

Sorry Stacey, I know this is your blog, but it's frustrating over there in the chat and such a relief to find some of the "like-minded" over here. I'm so tired of watching people be labeled as "worry warts" or simply flagged and conveniently removed, just for expressing legitimate concerns or for speaking the truth.

I keep wondering if any Psychology majors are using the chat rooms for their dissertation. It would make for a fascinating study of how easily people can be led. Fascinating but troubling...

carmel67 said...

Did anyone see clowney's you tube video of the branching (single branch unfortunately)? I've tried to correct misstatements on the chat, but I've been ignored by the mods, but have received several PMs with concerns. The first branching is
at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbABI29oZ3Y&feature=channel.

I talked with Matt (clowney) via PM last night and he's not too concerned, said he's trying to help Carlo's out. I can barely stand the chat anymore and have been going to full screen.

Most of the people are so clueless and won't even use rudimentary research. Total lack of intellectual curiosity, I'm afraid.

Kiki said...

Carmel 67, after reading your response to Stacy regarding the Mods at the M&M Owlbox, I was thoroughly insulted. Not everyone will be on the same intellectual level you're. You may be intelligent however you lack patience and are intolerant of people who think along different lines. People go to Carlos' site for many reasons. I read of a woman who was housebound and how watching the owls brought her out of her funk and depression. Certainly, there are those like myself whose 1st experience with owls opened my world to an entire way of thinking, opening my heart to something bigger and greater than myself. So please choose your words carefully, or you will turn away and turn off those, who like me, want to learn more. If you are unhappy with chat, don't go. I do not you any ill will just be careful who you speak poorly of. It makes you look bad. Kudos to Stacy for her way of thinking and recanting much of the negativity.

Kiki said...
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