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7 June 2012

Bill-snapping

This Long-eared Owl chick, ringed near Newmarket on Monday last, is making a loud clicking or snapping noise with its bill. This noise, with quiet hisses, is made in response to any threat, and can be made even when the bird is holding food in its bill, so it is not made by the bill snapping shut, rather with the vocal chords (M.O'Clery).


Video of a young Long-eared Owl 'bill-snapping' (Video: M.O'Clery).