'One of a kind' reddish snowy owl appears to be returning to 'normal'
'One of a kind' reddish snowy owl appears to be returning to 'normal'
From January:
From Huron Daily Tribune
Over the winter, social media was bombarded with photos and news about a brightly colored snowy owl. This owl, seemingly one of a kind due to it’s reddish/orange coloration, was particularly popular in Huron County, because it decided to winter here.
Snowy owls are not uncommon in the area during winter months. They travel from their home in the Arctic to Michigan and beyond, partially due to reduction in prey in the Northern climate. Huron County seems to attract a number of these birds, most likely because snow-covered farm fields are similar to their home territory.
This particular snowy owl, which was first spotted in a barn in western Huron County, subsequently frequented open farm land close by. Photos began appearing on social media sites, creating a frenzy. Numerous people speculated on possible causes ranging from a natural mutation to theories of accidental exposure to paint from construction sites, fire retardant from wild fires in Canada, or seemingly the most popular cause, deicer at an airport. Experts were stymied in their attempts to identify the anomaly.
Known locally as "Rusty," this snowy owl has garnered a lot of attention, including being featured in national and regional magazines, such as "Birds & Blooms" and "Woods N Water News." Rusty also found his way to local newspapers, as well as the science section of "The New York Times." In addition, the featured article in the "New York Times" went national, making Rusty somewhat famous and getting Huron County mentioned as the owl’s location.
Recent photos seem to bolster the theory of accidental exposure to an outside source as the cause of Rusty’s coloration. Unless there is another "colorful" snowy owl, which doesn’t appear likely, Rusty seems to be losing his rust.
Traditionally, the end of winter causes snowy owls to return to their summer home in the Arctic. Since snowy owls tend to return to the same general location year after year, it is hopeful Rusty will return to Huron County next winter. Unfortunately, we may never know if the same bird comes back, because snowy owls molt, which means to shed their feathers.
According to the website, https://www.birdful.org/do-snowy-owls-change-plumage, "like all birds, snowy owls molt and replace their feathers periodically. Molting is the process where old worn feathers are replaced by new feathers. Snowy owls have a complex molting cycle and molt throughout the year. However, their main molting periods are late summer to fall and late winter to spring."
So, if Rusty returns next winter, he may look like every other snowy owl.
Regardless of whether or not Rusty simply becomes just another snowy owl, she is a beautiful bird. Her abnormal coloration certainly made her stand out from the crowd, and gave Huron County residents something to talk about. Rusty, the reddish/orange snowy owl. One of a kind.
I was surprised to see an update after hearing nothing for a while!
So while we get no answer so far as to what has stained this Snowy, we have pretty solid evidence that it's not genetic, it just got a little too curious around something very colorful.
Thank you for the weeks of intrigue, Rusty!
My girlfriend and I thought he just ate something really weird and honestly I think thats the best we can go on at this point lol
Cheeto dust would make small rodents a bit more palatable... 🤔
Why am I reminded of the case where they thought they had discovered a new bird species but it was just a seagull covered in curry powder?
OMG, I remember that! 😂
Rusty's a survivor. Heck yeah.
I'm glad he's still out causing mischief! Every time I see a report on a Snowy that's been in an accident, I hold my breath until I can verify it wasn't him! I want him to get home safe and sound.
thats good to see. i sometimes go on r*ddit's /all and i saw a picture of rusty with the title "one of a kind owl" or something like that and the only comment talking about how it somehow got painted was saying it was some kind of aircraft fuel and that it would be poisoned and die. i guess they were wrong since it seems the owl is getting the colored stuff off of itself and seems to be living well
Me too! There's so many man made hazards out there for the animals to deal with. 😮
I have to admit to the same shameful behaviour and remember the comment - they mentioned deicing fluid. It seems the commentor got it wrong. And in this case it makes me really happy :)
looks like he is covered in blood. what a nice owl!
As night-hunters their prey does not care for their color, but more fore their noise anyways, right?
Thie one has been a real celebrity this year. There's a few more pics and discussion in our previous posts here:
Rare reddish-orange snowy owl in Huron County captivates birdwatchers
Mystery of orange snowy owl solved? (My vote is: no)
New Photos of the Orange Creamsicle Snowy
Orange Snowy Likely to Remain a Mystery Forever
Snowy Owls are actually largely daytime (well, more dawn/dusk) hunters than most owls are. They do have the quiet flight that most owls have, but Snowies are pretty versatile, able to catch things on land, in the air, or from the water. They seem like a very versatile owl. Here's a writeup of some of their various hunting habits.
Also, the Barn Owl often has the same bright white color and is a night time hunter. Check out this article for some discussion how this unorthodox color may potentially be a special advantage!
The second one looks a serial killer or a pokemon.
That cold, unblinking stare.... Who knows what he's done?
What do you mean ‘normal’? He’s out and proud! 🌈
He's fabulous alright!
Xxl parrot
Yes! We need to get it to talk! 🙂
I feel like all the photos this singular animal has suddenly appeared in pretty much proves that if cryptids like Bigfoot existed we'd have much better photos evidence of them.
Especially with the pervasiveness of cameras these days. Plus drones, trail cams, thermals. It's gonna be hard for a 'squatch to stay hidden these days!