
They may be known as masters of disguise, but this little owl couldn't conceal his jealousy as he desperately tried to interrupt a brotherly cuddle between his two siblings.

As his two siblings settled down to have a rest on their tiny perch, the needy owlet was spotted tactfully creeping along a tree branch before tugging at one of his brother's wing.

The little owl's sibling rivalry then gets the better of him, as he swoops under his sibling's wing, prompting an amusing game of tug-of-war.

The scene was photographed from just six metres away by 48-year-old Dean Mason who hid away in a camouflaged shelter, known as a hide, in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

He said: 'The three siblings are doing exactly what siblings do - playing combined with the odd argument.'

He added: 'Every time I capture something unusual, my heart pounds. I feel such an adrenalin rush whilst at the same time hoping I've made the right choice of camera settings.'

The birds are small owls, a species which typically measures 22cm tall. The bird was introduced to the UK in the 19th century and is most common in central, southern and south eastern England.

Perched: A little owl gazes in envy as his two siblings huddle together on a small tree branch in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire

Ruffling feathers: As he starts moving towards the pair, the nearer sibling cowers under his brother's wing, turning his back away from the bird

Gentle touch: But the little owl's sibling rivalry gets the better of him, as he start pulling at his sibling's wing with one small claw

Sibling affection: The bird then creeps closer to his sibling, before slowly pecking at one of their ears. The little owls were photographed by sales manager Dean Mason, 49

Tug of war: The bird continues to gently pull at his sibling's wing, prompting an amusing game of tug-of-war. Mr Mason observed the owls from just six metres away by waiting inside a camouflaged shelter known as a hide

Getting in a flap: The determined bird then sneaks under its sibling's wing. The small owl typically measures 22cm tall