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Northern pygmy owl enjoys lunch stop at Williams Lake library

A small bird on a tree attracted some attention on Jan. 21 in downtown Williams Lake
pygmyowl
A northern pygmy owl eats its lunch in a pine tree outside the Cariboo Regional District and library in Williams Lake (this photo has been cropped in).

An unusual sight greeted library visitors on the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 21 in downtown Williams Lake.

A tiny visitor was having lunch, perched in a pine tree outside the Williams Lake Branch of the Cariboo Regional District library.

It was a northern pygmy owl, a tiny owl which often hunts at dawn or dusk, but also sometimes during the day. The bird eats insect, smaller birds, small mammals and an occasional small reptile, according to the Birds of Canada Field Guide. Tribune staff were able to catch a glimpse of the creature thanks to a tip from the photographer, who had been enjoying viewing the animal for 20 minutes prior to passing the "press" on the street and looping us in.

The northern pygmy owl is only around 15 to 18 cm tall and while not normally an urban animal, this one had apparently found a spot it liked to enjoy lunch.

This pygmy was feasting on what appeared to be a sparrow, and did not seem bothered by the people who enjoyed observing it as it ate.

However, it is best not to disturb wild animals while they eat, especially in the winter.

The caloric requirements of winter survival mean giving wild animals a wide berth is better for their safety and survival.

Birds especially have high caloric requirements to survive cold temperatures, because they require a higher body temperature than humans (usually over 40 C versus the human's 37 C). Food is also less available in the winter, which adds to the animal's struggle to make it through colder temperatures, especially over the longer, colder nights. 

The long and the short of it is, enjoy viewing wildlife from a distance.

The owl is a year-round resident of forests, both coniferous and deciduous and is found in Canada in both British Columbia and southwestern Alberta, but B.C. is the northern end of its range, as the bird is also found as far south as Mexico.

They nest in natural tree cavities or woodpecker holes, so wildlife trees provide important habitat for the tiny owl.

A northern pygmy owl has been spotted a number of times in the Scout Island area over the winter, and whether this lunchtime library visitor is the same bird is uncertain. What is certain is it was a delightful sight in the downtown.

 



Ruth Lloyd

About the Author: Ruth Lloyd

I moved back to my hometown of Williams Lake after living away and joined the amazing team at the Williams Lake Tribune in 2021.
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