A first view of the 2nd owl we picked up today. I petted her because she was doing the 'Pet-me!'-squeeks. Yes, those are sounds of curiosity and affection. If she’d be scared, she's hiss, make herself either very big or very slender pretending to be a twig (no joke), or clack her beak to indicate she's under a lot of stress. Never mind my stupid voice and yapping in the movie-clip. The nibbling doesn't hurt: This is the way owls feel things or 'hold/shake hands', due to a.. well.. lack of hands. The Triangle on her back which I indicate is a small lesson: Never pet a bird over it's back or wings. They have a little gland underneath their tail which secredes a natural fat which they use to make their wings and back water-resistant. Would you pet it, the fatty layer is damaged and when it starts to rain, the poor bird will get soaked. This, however, doesn't count for the chest, neck and cheeks.. and I assure, they -love- to be scritched and tickled there (as you can see, our little girl here giving me a love nibble). Just a little lesson. :) She doesn't have a name yet, so we refer to her as 'her' and 'she' still :)