The world news lately has been a little overwhelming; how often have we heard the term David and Goliath to describe the situation in Ukraine? The Ukrainians have shown the world that despite your size, one can be tenacious and resistant to what could be described as overwhelming odds. If I could choose a wild neighbour to represent the strength they’ve shown it would have to be the Northern Pygmy Owl.
The first time I saw one in the wild I was in west Fishcreek. It was perched in a spruce tree overhanging the creek. It had bold white markings on brown feathers and its piercing yellow eyes showed all the ferocity that you would expect from an owl (incidentally it has false eye spots on the back of the head so that both sides can be intimidating). Clutched in its talons was a vole which seemed to confirm my suspicions that here was a fierce predator, and at the same time made me think, “you’re so little”. The vole was about the third of the size of this robin-sized owl.
The Northern Pygmy Owl, despite being able to fit in one’s hands, has been known to be apathetic or bold to humans who happen upon it during its diurnal (daytime) hunts. It may look at you or give you its attention briefly, but then it is back to business. As a hunter, not only does it take small rodents and insects, but it also captures songbirds with aerial attacks and has been known to take on prey several times its own size. This bravery and tenacity are well noted; a wildlife biologist Gordon Court, once said, “if Pygmy Owls were as big as beavers, cows wouldn’t be safe.” Truly this minute owl embodies the idea that it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.
However, even the mighty need a place to call home and to raise their broods in safety. The woodpecker neighbours provide this with all the cavities they’ve put in the forest. These holes in snags are where the 2-7 eggs are incubated by the mother, who is fed and defended by the father. If the brood is successful owlets soon emerge ready to fly. But cavities in snags are not enough to keep this owl off of Alberta’s Species at Risk list. They receive a status of Sensitive because of the threats to their boreal forest, mountain, and foothills habitats. If we do not protect their habitat no amount of tenacity will sustain this owl’s population.
Which brings us back to the Ukraine, a country seemingly up against insurmountable odds. They have the bravery, the sheer will and loyalty to keep their culture alive and to not give in to this invasion by a larger nation, but there is nevertheless destruction throughout their homeland. The Ukrainians deserve a safe place to call home. The world needs to come together to find a way to restore peace in their country.
If you would like to help, please consider donating to the Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.
By: Laura Griffin
