A Barred Owl in Bush's Pasture Park in the town of Salem, Oregon, has been stealing hats from joggers. The hat-loving owl swoops down and snatches hats right off the heads of unsuspecting runners. At least four people have been victimized in the last few weeks and are now forced to buy new hats.

One of the runners named Hilliard told Reuters that he was not hurt in the assault but "just dumbfounded". He said: "It was kind of amazing how it just swooped down and grabbed my hat like that. It just pulled it right off my head like it was nothing!"

The Stateman Journal, a local newspaper, asked their readers to send in names for the now-famous owl and they received more than 100 different suggestions. Our favorites are Hoodini and Owlcapone. The story of the Salem owl has been covered in the news across the country and even made it on the Rachel Maddow show where viewers were challenged to design a new owl warning sign.

The bird is believed to be collecting the hats to build a nest. Owls can be territorial and aggressive during nesting season. A new sign in the park now warns people to use caution from dusk to dawn and recommends people to wear a hard hat.

This funny t-shirt with one of our favorite owls features a cute Birdorable Burrowing Owl with his head half sticking out of the ground and the text: I Dig Burrowing Owls. These small owls can be found in parts of the Americas and they love to use burrows dug by other creatures or dig their own underground cavities. This is a great t-shirt for birders and anyone who loves Burrowing Owls.

If you think our Birdorable birds are cute as adults, what about when they are babies? Below are some baby photos (shared via Flickr Creative Commons) of the Barn Owl. Barn Owls are cavity nesters. They use a variety of structures, including natural sites like tree cavities, cliffs, rocky outcrops, as well as a huge range of man-made structures. Barn Owls will use nest boxes, too. There are some popular nestcams set up in established Barn Owl nests, including Owl Channel, Mel & Sydney, and Audubon Starr Ranch Barn Owls. With their heart-shaped faces and their super-fluffy appearance, baby Barn Owls may look a bit goofy, but we think they are cute, too! What do you think?

Day old hatchling with peeping eggs by rebonnett

Protecting angel, we all have one. by rebonnett

Barn Owl Nest with Young in Abandoned House (1981) by Hunter-Desportes

Young Barn Owls in Attic of House (1981) by Hunter-Desportes

Young Barn Owls in Tree Nest (1981) by Hunter-Desportes

Young Barn Owls in Tree Nest (1981) by Hunter-Desportes

Owlets by chdwckvnstrsslhm

Barn Owl by USFWS Mountain Prairie

Barn Owl Chick by Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife

Baby Barn Owl by sanangeloinsurance

Pretty cute, right? Be sure to check out our Birdorable Barn Owl t-shirts and gifts!

Our Birdorable Bonanza 2012 concludes today as we reveal our 400th species: the Eurasian Eagle-Owl!

Eurasian Eagle-Owls are very large and powerful birds. They have beautiful cryptic plumage, prominent ear tufts, and striking bright orange eyes.

Eurasian Eagle Owl by cookipediachef

Did you know...?

• The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is sometimes considered to be the world's largest owl species. Their wingspan may be up to 6 and half feet or two meters!
• The scientific name for the Eurasian Eagle-Owl is Bubo bubo. Bubo is Latin for owl.
• This species has a very wide range, with breeding birds recorded in much of south and eastern Europe, and across much of temperate Asia.
• Eurasian Eagle-Owls eat a variety of prey, including mammals like voles and hares.
• Nesting usually occurs on rocky surfaces such as cave entrances, cliff ledges, or other crevices. They may also take over abandoned nests of other large raptor species.
• Like other owl species, the Eurasian Eagle-Owl achieves silent flight through a fringe-like edging across their primary wing feathers.

We've added a coloring page of this beautiful owl. Check out the Eurasian Eagle-Owl and other free PDF downloads here: Coloring Pages.

We hope you've enjoyed our Birdorable Bonanza 2012! We had a lot of fun introducing 22 new birds in 22 days and look forward to the next time! Here is a list of all the birds released during this Bonanza, in case you missed any of them.

• Rose-breasted Grosbeak
• Hawaiian Goose / Nene
• St Lucia Amazon
• Trumpeter Hornbill
• Golden-crowned Kinglet
• Northern Harrier
• Hawk-headed Parrot
• Palm-nut Vulture
• Eurasian Bullfinch
• Victoria Crowned Pigeon
• Magnolia Warbler
• Orange-winged Amazon
• Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
• Red-shouldered Hawk
• Eastern Towhee
• Eurasian Jay
• Eastern Rosella
• Ferruginous Hawk
• Gentoo Penguin
• Black Falcon
• Red-legged Seriema
• Eurasian Eagle Owl

This winter is shaping up to be an irruption season for Snowy Owls into northern parts of the United States. There are several maps being maintained which show the locations where these large white diurnal owls have been found, including the great site where anyone can record all of their bird sightings, eBird. The map below shows a portion of a collaborative Google Map of Snowy Owl sightings. If you click the map you can see a wider view.

Often an irruption of Snowy Owls south of their normal range indicates a decline in the lemming population in Canada. However, lemmings have been doing very well this year and because of that, so have their predators. It seems Snowy Owls had a very good breeding year; many of the "southern" owl sightings have been of young birds. The irruption may be due to lack of hunting territory rather than a lack of food. So the owls are spreading out and moving south. Have you seen a Snowy Owl yet? This winter just might be your chance! Be sure to check out our collection of cute Snowy Owl apparel and gifts. We have a brand new spoof design featuring our Birdorable Snowy Owl: got lemmings?

Today we're starting our third Birdorable Bonanza! For the next 19 days we'll be adding a new Birdorable bird species every day, counting up to our 350th species! See our Meet the Birds page to see all Birdorable birds. The first bird to kick off Birdorable Bonanza 2011 is the Eastern Screech Owl!

The Eastern Screech Owl is a small species of nocturnal owl that lives across parts of Eastern North America. All birds have prominent ear tufts (laid back flat in the photo above) and a mottled and cryptic plumage, which comes in two distinct color morphs: red-phase (or rufous-phase) and gray-phase. Eastern Screech Owls are nocturnal and will roost in tree trunks or cavities during the day. Despite their name, their call is a descending, soft whinny.

Every day of the Bonanza we'll give you a hint for the next day's bird and you can guess what it will be. We'll start easy: tomorrow's bird lives in Africa and has a bill the shape of a shoe. Can you guess what it will be?

Who says fashion can't be a hoot? Certainly not the wise and ever-stylish owls! Our latest Birdorable Owls are cool t-shirt design showcases a Birdorable Barred Owl donning a pair of sleek sunglasses, transforming this nocturnal bird of prey into the epitome of cool. 

Barred Owls are known for their soulful, dark eyes and the distinctive “who-cooks-for-you” hooting, but on this t-shirt, they're bringing a new vibe to the birding community. It's a perfect blend of fun, education, and style, suitable for all ages and destined to spark conversations and smiles.

This t-shirt is perfect for casual outings, birdwatching trips, or as a cozy top for lounging at home, the "Owls are cool" T-shirt is versatile, comfortable, and stylish. It's a wonderful gift for the owl enthusiast in your life or a delightful treat for yourself. So spread your wings, flaunt your feathers, and let the world know just how cool owls—and you—really are.

As the winter season wraps its chilly embrace around us, birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike turn their gaze towards the majestic Great Grey Owl, a true marvel of the avian world. Known for its imposing size, piercing eyes, and the silent grace with which it glides through the frosty air, this owl becomes a sought-after sight in the colder months. What could possibly make the Great Grey Owl even more enchanting for the holiday season? Imagine this magnificent bird donning a Santa Claus hat, perched whimsically on a candy cane—transformed into an adorable Birdorable character that captures the heart of Christmas spirit!

Introducing the Birdorable Great Grey Owl Santa, a holiday design that combines the solemn majesty of one of the most impressive owls with the playful joy of the festive season. This original design is perfect for spreading holiday cheer and showcasing your love for birds in a cute, Birdorable style. Whether you're a dedicated birder, a casual nature lover, or simply in search of unique holiday decor and gifts, this Great Grey Owl adorned in festive attire is sure to bring a smile to faces and warmth to hearts.

Ready to dive into the holiday season with a touch of avian magic? The Birdorable Great Grey Owl Santa is waiting to adorn your home and holiday gatherings with its festive flair. From apparel to other gifts, this design is available on a wide range of products that are perfect for bird lovers and those who cherish the festive season's spirit. Be sure to explore our Christmas section for hundreds of more holiday-themed gifts that celebrate the beauty of birds in the most adorable way possible.

We're thrilled to share that our adorable Birdorable Barn Owl has soared into the spotlight in the spring issue of The Flyer, the engaging publication crafted by the Barn Owl Trust specifically for its "junior" friends.

The Flyer is an informative and entertaining resource, known for bringing the world of the Barn Owl to life for its younger audience. Its spring issue was a treasure trove of knowledge, with fascinating Barn Owl facts that offer insight into the life of these silent nocturnal hunters, as well as owl jokes and poems. The Birdorable Barn Owl coloring page was on the back page of the leaflet.

You can learn more about the UK-based Barn Owl Trust here. Junior friends of the Trust are called Owlets and receive the Flyer, an ID badge, a Barn Owl pin badge, and other goodies for young owl-lovers.

This week's featured t-shirt design is our Birdorable Barred Owl shown here on a kids organic t-shirt. This will make a great gift for bird lovers, birdwatchers and owl fans.

You might know that Birdorable's very own Amy is a huge fan of Barred Owls. She was lucky enough to get to work with birds of prey by following a raptor course at a local rehabilitation center, Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation, earlier this year. FCWR has one education Barred Owl in residence, Meepy, who was easily Amy's favorite. Isn't she gorgeous?