perpetually startled

Akai, Eastern Screech Owl

This reminds me of her high school yearbook portrait -- HBW!
See this tiny owl a little bit larger, if you have a moment.

From the Carolina Raptor Center website:
Akai was transferred to Carolina Raptor Center in July of 2007 from another rehabilitation facility. Akai had been brought in as a baby from New Bern, North Carolina, and while the rehabilitator took precautions to prevent Akai from imprinting on humans, it was not successful. Akai was sent to Carolina Raptor Center for evaluation, where it was determined that she had become imprinted on people and would not be able to survive on her own in the wild. She now stars in education programs, teaching people all over the Carolinas about the importance of wildlife and the environment. The name ‘Akai’ is Japanese for red, which is fitting for this red-phase Eastern screech owl.