Snowy Owls’ Shiny Feathers Say “Back Off”

01/13/2011

It turns out that the bright white plumage of snowy owls is not just for show. In fact, it is a warning signal that tells rival birds to back off, according to recent findings in the International Journal of Avian Science.

Read more at BBC Earth.

Over 10 winters, researchers from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada and the Museum of Natural Sciences in Spain watched the behavior of snowy owls and learned that owls with the whitest feathers reflected the brightest signals over long distances to protect their territories.

Researchers observed owls rotating their bodies to face the sun from their perches. Whiter birds maximized their signals from the snow-covered ground, while spotted white owls kept a higher perch.

“The birds constantly shift throughout the day and even change the height of their perch depending on the sun,” explained lead researcher Gary Bortolotti.

Photo Credits:  Alan Carey/Corbis | Barrett & MacKay/All Canada Photos/Corbis  | iStockphoto/Thinkstock |

Comments

[Lisa]

I'm left in awe at the extent of the research in uncovering this previously unknown attribute i.e. the white maximizing their refection against the snow. And I'm hungry to know of other animal behaviors yet uncovered.

[www.ligerworld.com]

The second snap of the owl is simply magnificent. Beautiful species....Thumbs up for it :).

[Franklin Marshall T-shirt]

Vintage tshirts through Sweat Franklin Marshall is often a a couple of high-class in addition eye-catching. Really worth talk about is often a tartan authenticate clothes, virtually any stylish choice which often unveils men and women any amazing glimpse you might have thought regarding.
http://www.bestfranklinmar.com

[ashley Beolens]

Thanks for a really interesting article.

I have an article on my website about photographing Snowy Owls: http://www.fatphotographer.net/links/how_to_shoot/nature_-_photographing_snowy_owls.html I'm sure the author David Hemmings will be interested to read this, I guess it could help alter the approach to getting near to the species for photographic purposes? And will certainly change the approach wehn looking for the owls (especially the very white ones).

[sohbet odaları]

very blogt hanks admin

[sohbet]

very blogt hanks admin

[pes patch]

thanks admin

[oyun indir]

love you admin :d :D

[sohbet]

Very nice publish, i definitely love this website, keep on it

[ankara nakliyat]

ankara nakliyat

[sohbet]

thanks you sohbet

[uk best essays]

Excellent blog you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics talked about in this article?

[cinsel sohbet]

Thanks you very room's yes o tead

[cinsel chat]

Thanks you comments no sory beatfull

[Sohbet]

Thanks you very nice much