Just learned that this afternoon.

1. 
   Jim Stanger 2009 12 13 at 9:18:22 pm

   I just learned you can tickle a barn owl and keep all your fingers. Where is this at?

2. 
   Chris Clarke 2009 12 13 at 10:28:59 pm

   This is at the visitor center for the Devil’s Punchbowl. Ruth, the owl in the photo, was raised by the gentleman alongside her, whose name I forgot to ask. She allows members of the general public to politely skritch her belly, but when her “dad” musses her head feathers and nuzzles her, she pulls her head down between her shoulders, closes her eyes most of the way and emits this little staccato series of squeals that sounds exactly like giggling. And she smiles. Which I wouldn’t think you could do without lips.

3. 
   Chris Clarke 2009 12 14 at 12:18:03 am

   Also in the Visitor Center were rattlesnakes in a bin who rattled angrily at all approachers except for me, which I choose to interpret as meaning that they could tell I am their rattlesnake brother, and that thing about everyone else tapping their box is irrelevant.

4. 
   Sven DiMilo 2009 12 14 at 2:01:33 pm

   Did you get all the way up to the Devil’s Swizzlestick? Or did you turn around at the Devil’s Lemon Zester?

5. 
   jason 2009 12 21 at 2:56:04 pm

   I admit I’m late in responding to this…

   My favorite local charity that focuses on avian wildlife rehabilitation has a resident barn owl.  The bird suffered some kind of cranial damage early in life and scarcely can chase a wad of paper across a desk.  Watching it try is like watching a newborn child try to chase a finger across its field of vision.

   But I say that to mention this: That barn owl laughs uproariously when tickled, when petted by those it perceives as friends, when snuggled by people who give it a sense of warmth and companionship.  No, the bird can’t possibly survive in the wild, but imagine the wonders it performs as an ambassador to children learning to appreciate and respect nature!  To see the eyes of kids light up with passionate fire when that bird nuzzles against them and thanks them vocally for their attention…  Well, it’s a world unto itself.

   So yes, I think barn owls do indeed giggle.  And I think people are the poorer for having never experienced it firsthand.

6. 
   tim smith 2010 01 26 at 4:37:10 pm

   how we all envy you. thank you and the barn owl VERY MUCH!!!

7. 
   Krystle 2010 01 26 at 6:19:01 pm

   My parrot laughs too, in a very staccato robot way. Usually he’s cued in by others laughing around him, but lately he’s started doing it in context.

8. 
   blinkypoet 2010 01 29 at 9:00:52 am

   That is so neat! I wonder if all owls do this or just this breed?

9. 
   Chris Clarke 2010 01 29 at 12:43:15 pm

   There were a couple of great horned owls in the same park, blinkypoet, and we didn’t hear them giggle. But no one was tickling them.

10. 
    JaneGael 2010 01 29 at 4:58:02 pm

    Its been my experience with various species of birds that they express pleasure much the same as we do.  In fact many animals share our movements and sounds when happy, angry, or frightened…and why shouldn’t they?  We are all just animals together.  I’ve never had the pleasure of interacting with a barn owl, but I’ve scritched a redtailed hawk, a kestrel, a sharp shinned hawk, various parrots, macaws, cockatoos and my cockatiels and parakeets and they do indeed giggle.  I can’t think of another word for it.  Thanks for sharing. :)

11. 
    Andrew 2010 02 10 at 6:50:57 pm

    Realize this is semi-old,

    but I came across this video of lab techs tickling rats and getting giggles out of them.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0kxmfSGCaE

    Just saying…