Aegolius funereus

This rare visitor from the north became an instant celebrity when it was discovered near Tavern-on-the-Green during the 2004 Christmas count. For many birders it was a 'lifer'. A North Carolina birder who had never seen one in over 40 years of birding, gambled it would still be here when he flew to NYC for the day. He went home happy. The 10" long owl stayed in the area for nearly a month and was seen by thousands of people.