Altho in plain view on a stump, I did not see my first LONGEAR until its presence was revealed by a penetrating hiss. Instead of flying away at my approach, the bird ruffled its feathers and, tail expanding, spread its wings until almost as large as a Great Horned Owl. At ten feet I stopt. Slowly the wings were folded, the feathers drawn down and the position cautiously changed to upright. The yellow eyes were veiled and instead of a pugnacious bird there was merely a branch stub.
During the daylight they are partial to dense evergreen hideouts which they leave toward dusk — sometimes quite early on dark days. During migration they concentrate in small bunches and make the southern trip a social party.
North America, north probably to coniferous tree limit.