About the Owls

Learn about the real pygmy-owls and events that inspired the characters and stories in The Pygmy-Owls of Forest Park. Fresh content (photos, videos, science results) will be added to this page regularly beginning in May 2025.

A pygmy-owl perched on a mossy tree branch in Forest Park.
A female pygmy-owl emerges from her nest cavity near the Maple Trail back in June of 2007. It was the first of 5 nests that I found in Forest Park that year, and the first of 85 nests that I ultimately found in the park over the years. She laid only

A female pygmy-owl emerges from her nest cavity near the Maple Trail back in June of 2007. It was the first of 5 nests that I found in Forest Park that year, and the first of 85 nests that I ultimately found in the park over the years. She laid only 4 eggs that year. The nest was successful!

The third pygmy-owl nest found in 2007 was in a cavity near the bottom of a burned out stump. The character "Rochelle" is based the female that nested there and at a different stump in 2008.

The third pygmy-owl nest found in 2007 was in a cavity near the bottom of a burned out stump. The character "Rochelle" is based the female that nested there and at a different stump in 2008.

A one-day-old nestling prior to being weighed, measured, and returned to its stump nest in 2008. Actual events at this nest inspired many parts of the book, including some in the "Measure of Success" chapter.

A one-day-old nestling prior to being weighed, measured, and returned to its stump nest in 2008. Actual events at this nest inspired many parts of the book, including some in the "Measure of Success" chapter.

An adult pygmy-owl captured, banded, and released near the Hardesty Trail in 2008. The pair there successfully raised six owlets that year. Observations of a Great Horned Owl at the pygmy-owl nest inspired portions of the Predator chapter. Photo by

An adult pygmy-owl captured, banded, and released near the Hardesty Trail in 2008. The pair there successfully raised six owlets that year. Observations of a Great Horned Owl at the pygmy-owl nest inspired portions of the Predator chapter. Photo by Lisa Ripps who volunteered to help find nests that year.