Partial compression

A lot of birders never get to see a tiny, popcan-sized Northern Pygmy-owl go into compression mode. Well, most birders never get to see one of these owls, period : ) They are rare to uncommon in Alberta. When we were watching this one in Fish Creek Park a week ago, it started shrinking, but only got this far.

"Despite their small size, Northern Pygmy Owls are quite fierce, and will attack prey or drive off intruders several times their own size. When one of these owls is threatened, it will puff up its feathers and spread its tail to make itself look larger. When hiding, it tries to look thin, faces the danger, and closes its eyes into slits." From OwlPages.com.