Yaffle’s human shares why he enjoys these baths. “As a burrowing owl, my feathers are my most prized possession. They provide insulation, help me fly almost silently, and are essential for my camouflage. That’s why I take great care to keep them in tip-top condition.” Additionally, “While I enjoy standing in my bird bath to cool off on a hot day, I much prefer a refreshing spray. I’ll spread my wings waiting eagerly for my human to mist me. I’m not sure which is the most divine; the feeling of water on my feathers, or that I’m putting my human to work.” That sounds a lot like having any other pet. When bath time is over, they tell us, he will carefully preen his wings to be sure he left no droplet of water behind.

If you go to the MSN page, there’s a linked video at the bottom of a little girl with a White Faced Scops also!

Direct Video Link

    • anon6789OP
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      211 months ago

      One of the better owl puns 😉

  • @[email protected]
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    211 months ago

    Funny – yaffle is another name for the green woodpecker! Could also be named after the woodpecker in bagpuss, though

    • anon6789OP
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      211 months ago

      I liked the stop motion style of Bagpuss. The whole premise was nice for a kids’ show. Of course I watched The Owls of Athens.

      I did enjoy Yaffle, though I agreed with Madeleine’s assessment of the tale.

      • @[email protected]
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        211 months ago

        I haven’t seen that one before (or possibly have – my memory is fuzzy!). I’m not overly surprised though that you found the episode about owls though haha.

        Bagpuss was quite a charming show, and I think still holds up passably today.

        • anon6789OP
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          211 months ago

          I found it a charming reminder of shows from my own childhood. I’m only a little younger than Bagpuss and it looks like something early Nickelodeon would have ran for content.

          Wikipedia still shows it pops up in modern culture from time to time. I’m a stop motion fan, so I still think it’s great.

    • anon6789OP
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      11 months ago

      That green woodpecker is really neat looking! I’ll have to check that out more!

      Bagpuss looks vaguely familiar, but didn’t look to be broadcast in America. I’ll have to look at that too.

      It could be named after the woodpecker though. Recent genetic sequencing has owls more closely related to woodpeckers and kingfishers rather than hawks.

      Thanks for the new info!

      • @[email protected]
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        211 months ago

        Fun fact: professor yaffle was based off Bertrand Russell (yes, that one) after Oliver Postgate met him!

        • anon6789OP
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          211 months ago

          Holy heck, I’d never heard of Bertrand Russell either, but it looks like I could spend a very long time learning about him!

          We end up touching on the wildest topics on here sometimes!

  • Drusas
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    211 months ago

    This is adorable, but owls should not be kept as pets. He wouldn’t be so desperately excited for a spritzing if he experienced real rain.

    • anon6789OP
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      211 months ago

      Owls do not make good pets. Yaffle appears to be a retired education animal that still lives at a proper raptor facility with someone trained and licensed to do so though.

      Hi, if we haven’t met before I’m Yaffle and I’m a captive bred burrowing owl. I used to be based at a birds of prey centre where I did flying displays and educational talks and visits but now I live a life of (further) luxury with my hooman who hand raised me. I live with lots of other birds and animals including my girlfriend Henry who is a rescued tawny owl. Check Henry out on my page @yaffletheowl, she’s a beauty.

      We post to brighten your day and mix in a bit of owl facts and info now and then. Come join the fun @yaffletheowl , I can’t wait to meet you 🦉