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Elf Owl
The Elf Owl is
a rather small, short-tailed, owl of the arid southwestern United States
and Mexico. Their heads are round with no ear tufts. They are nocturnal birds with
a somewhat bat-like flight but not as erratic.
Mostly all of their prey are
arthropods - mainly insects and scorpions, although they likely take the odd mouse
or small bird also. Elf Owls hunt small, weak prey because their relatively
weak feet and talons. Most prey is captured in flight as Elf Owls are very
manoeuvrable in flight. They hunt mainly by flying out from perches on trees,
shrubs, or cacti to hawk flying insects or by flying over open ground. They
often hover over insect prey, causing the insects to take flight, then capture
them in mid air.
Around April, Males attract females to potential nest
sites by calling from a cavity, then flying out while singing, as she approaches.
On moonlit nights calling occurs continuously all night. The female selects the
nest cavity and begins to roost in it prior to laying eggs to prevent occupation
by other hole-nesting birds. Elf Owls are entirely dependent on woodpecker cavities
for nest sites, both in cacti and deciduous trees, so there is some competition with
nesting woodpeckers over cavities. |
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#192
~Micrathene whitneyi~
Average Lifesize Bird:
Length 5 1/2" Wingspan 13"
This
piece is sculpted from aluminum and is in full flight with one piece wings and
tail. It is skillfully painted to give the illusion of feathers. It has
no feet as you generally can not see their feet while they are in flight.
It is made to be suspended as if in from high test monofilament line {included}.
$
650.
FREE Shipping in the Continental United States
Like all of Daniel's sculptures, this is a hand crafted one of a kind original. Purchase
includes a letter of authenticity signed by the artist.
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