Blind Snake Delivery

A Texas Blind Snake http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/bulletins/uc/uc-007.html was fed to Mrs. Owl overnight. It is very beneficial for the nest if a blind snake happens to fall into the nesting material instead of being eaten. The snake then acts as housekeeper, eating any mites or other small insects which would otherwise be parasites to the baby owls.

Around 5am there was quite a ruckus in our backyard. We could hear scampering (a nocturnal squirrel, stray cat??) in the leaves on the ground with Mr. Owl chasing whoever it was, all the while doing what is called "bill-clapping".

Annoyed or quite upset, they will snap their bill making a little clapping noise. Some argue this clapping is actually tongue-clicking.