This is the little Screech Owl that lives near my work. He seems to be having a very heavy molt. Otis is a shy guy, but he usually makes little owl noises at me. I may have to pay him a visit again if he’s looking this funky!

From Upper Schuylkill Valley Park

Think you’re having a bad hair day? Well, just take a look at our resident Screech Owl, Otis!

Otis is currently molting his feathers and has lost a good amount of feathers on his head!

Molting is when birds shed old worn-out feathers to replace them with new fresh feathers, often to prepare for seasonal changes.

Some birds molt more gracefully than others. In a few weeks Otis will be back to being his fully feathered handsome self, but for now he’s in a balding awkward stage (but we still think he’s handsome)!