Wednesday, February 8, 2012

The 2011 Butler Bird of the Year

Well it took about a month and a half to decide, but the jury has finally reached a verdict on the best Butler Bird of the Year (also know as the B-BOY award, only slightly less famous than the Oscars). With close competition from Phainopeplas, a Townsends Warbler, and an inner city Lewis's Woodpecker, the award goes to...the Elf Owl!


This was certainly the most surprising sighting of the year, both because of the relatively uncommon and inconspicuous nature of the bird. I'm never really expecting to see Owls, which maybe explains why this and the Great Horned are the only two I've ever seen in the wild.


These tiny birds were hanging out at the Desert Botanical Gardens in September, and provided one of the best all-round birding experiences of my 2011 birding year. I'm definitely hoping to get some more owls this year, but I don't know if any of them will match this super fun sighting. Here's hoping!

See the full Elf Owl adventure recorded here
at

12 comments:

  1. Dan HuberFebruary 8, 2012 at 4:43 AM

    You have so many great captures, I can understand how it took a while to decide. This little one is adorable, great photos.

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    1. Laurence ButlerFebruary 8, 2012 at 6:35 AM

      Ha that's a flattering way to put it Dan but I appreciate your kind words. Thanks for stopping by.

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  2. Mia McPhersonFebruary 8, 2012 at 5:10 AM

    This Elf Owl is adorable, I can see why it would be your bird of 2011!

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    1. Laurence ButlerFebruary 8, 2012 at 6:36 AM

      It was a phenomenal sighting. It came at that right time when I needed to see something cool, something new to keep the birding energies going.

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  3. KaHollyFebruary 8, 2012 at 7:33 AM

    With all of your sightings, I can see why it was such a difficult choice, but really, and Elf Owl? Never in my wildest imagaination would I expect to spot one!! There was a Lewis' Woodpecker down here just last week!! I'm car-less, so didn't travel to attempt a glimpse! Happy Over-the-Hump Day!!

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    1. Laurence ButlerFebruary 8, 2012 at 8:22 AM

      Thanks Karen. It was a smashing bit of good luck and definitely one of my all time birding highlights. I'm sorry to hear you're carless right now. Do you think the Lewis's Woodpecker will stick around for a little while?

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  4. JMFebruary 8, 2012 at 10:44 AM

    Very cool bird! I only seen one before way back in 2001 before I caught the birding bug.

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    1. Laurence ButlerFebruary 8, 2012 at 2:17 PM

      I hope one of these little elves visits you soon. What was your bird of the year?

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  5. Maureen Leong-KeeFebruary 8, 2012 at 12:44 PM

    Beautiful shots of this adorable Elf Owl! What a fantastic find. I guess we both had owls on the brain. =) Hope you find more owls this year!

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  6. TammyFebruary 8, 2012 at 7:13 PM

    Outstanding choice Laurence! Love your photos! I would be more than excited to catch a glimpse of that beautiful little fellow!

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    1. Laurence ButlerFebruary 8, 2012 at 7:51 PM

      He was certainly a stately, if shrimpy gentleman. What was your Florida bird of the year Tammy?

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