RFI-info on foot pads of Western Screech-Owl

[SeEttaM .]

 I recently found a dead Western Screech-Owl that I believe had been hit by a vehicle trying to fly across busy  MacKenzie Ave on the eastern edge of Canon City.  It was not mangled so I took close-up photos on which I can see what looks like papillae on the bottom of it's foot pads.  I wonder if anyone knows the purpose of those?   I have previously found dead Northern Pygmy-Owl but do not remember it having foot pads like this.  I have uploaded a few photos of it including of those feet onto my Birds and Nature blog.

SeEtta Moss

Canon City

http://BirdsAndNature.blogspot.com

[Ann Donoghue]

While I can't speak to the exact purpose of the papilla other than to say - traction while perched, and other owls have this as well....I just learned about this program for reporting on dead or sick wildlife and thought I would pass it on!

http://www.whmn.org/wher/

You may wish to report this dead owl!

Ann Donoghue

Fort Collins