Eulen 217/2019

*Do birds play?*
Kanincheneulen - Burrowing Owls
by Barb D'Arpino
source:https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/do-birds-play/

 Many animals engage in “play,” that is, activities that enhance learning of motor and sensory skills and social behaviors but otherwise serve no immediate purpose. Young screech-owls pounce at leaves; young crows and jays pick up, inspect, and hide all kinds of shiny objects; young gulls and terns carry small items aloft and drop them, catch them in midair, and drop and catch them again. All these activities probably help birds acquire the skills and coordination they’ll need for hunting and other essential activities as adults.

Spotted Owlet
Maharashtra, India
by Ramesh Shenai

 Junger Raufußkauz - Boreal Owl fledgeling (Aegolius funereus)
by Dan Roby & Karen Brink

 Milchuhu - Verreaux`s (Giant-, Milky-) Eagle Owl
by David Duffy

Buffy Fish Owl
by Irawan Subingar

 Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
by Rob Curtis

Schleiereule - Barn Owl
by Lisa L. Kee

 Waldkauz - Tawny Owl
by Julian Slaughter

Waldohreule - Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)
by Warren Greene

 Streifenkauz - Barred Owl (Strix varia)
by Arthur Morris

 Weißgesichtseule - White-faced Scops Owl
photographer unknown