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Comfort behaviour of the Spotted Wood Owl

on 27th October 2009

OwlSpWd [Hong&Cheng] - 2 (1)27 owl2
These images by Hong & Cheng a.k.a. catspace show a Spotted Wood Owl (Strix seloputo) indulging in its comfort behaviour. This includes it stretching a wing and a leg, usually one side at a time (above left). Then it preened its feathers to keep them in top condition (above right). Those feathers around the head area where the bill has no access, the owl has to use its feet to scratch (left).

Here, scratching is direct, done by raising its foot from under its wing, characteristic of terrestrial birds, as seen in the Red-breasted Parakeet (Psittacula alexandri), also in the Grey Nightjar (Caprimulgus indicus). Among aboreal birds, on the other hand, scratching is indirect. The leg is extended over the wing to reach the head, as in Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica).

Hong & Cheng
Singapore
October 2009

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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