It might be of interest to members of this forum that Dr. Boris Kondratieff of CSU kindly determined the chewing lice obtained from the Snowy Owl from Prowers County north-northeast of Lamar, found on 1/31/2012 and now deposited with the Denver Museum, to be Strigiphilus ceblebrachys. This genus of lice in the family Philopteridae (order Icshnocera, formerly Mallophaga) specializes in owls. In fact the scientific name of this species literally translates to "shortheaded owl lover". It is the louse species most expected on a Snowy Owl in this part of the world, but nevertheless, was new to the extensive CSU collection. These lice, not normally found on other birds or mammals (including humans), feed mostly on dead skin and dry feather parts, and may also tap into tissue serum and blood flow to actively-growing feather bases. I can find nothing that speaks to the effect these lice might have on their host, particularly as relates to the intriguing question of whether they are more an issue on individuals irrupting southward vs. when they are on an owl in its normal Arctic environment.
Totally unrelated, for those in the Fort Collins area who might be interested, I will be giving a free presentation tomorrow night (Thursday, February 9th) at 7:30pm (social hour beginning at 7pm) at the Fort Collins Senior Center on my two-year (311 visits in 2010 and 2011!) project to chronicle the LIFE of Grandview Cemetery. Yes, the White-winged Crossbill pair that nested in 2010 will be featured but there will be lots more about other birds, champion trees, insects, squirrels, fox, deer, etc. The Senior Center is near the intersection of Shields and Drake at 1200 Raintree Drive (go to the multi-purpose room). This is the regular meeting of the Fort Collins Audubon Chapter but anyone would be welcome. I should mention a similar presentation will be given to DFO at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science on March 26th. Dave Leatherman Fort Collins -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
