The little Flammulated Owl looks a bit like a Screech Owl, but it’s actually the only member of its genus, Psiloscops. It was determined there were enough physical and genetic differences, as well as different vocalization patterns that it was removed from the genus Megascops that encompasses the screechies.
The Flammulated Owl also is migratory, unlike the Screech Owls. Their diet also mostly consists of insects, while screechies have a more diverse diet.
All the owl head twisting we see is them trying to check us out better. Most owls hear in 3D due to having asymmetrical ear canals. By rotating their head, they are scanning us from multiple angles. Scrunching their face tunes their ears to tell them exactly how far away something is, like bringing a camera into focus.
Head rotation is also required because owls dont have eye balls, they have eye tubes, so they’re unable to pivot their eyes. They are fixed in place, so they can only look straight ahead. Owl eyes are so long you can see many species’ eye from inside their ears!
Oh wow TIL!! eye tubes? Hearing in 3d? Owls are crazy creatures! Thank you for sharing all these pictures and info with me :3
They are so much more than a cute poof of feathers! More powers than most comic book heros.
If you haven’t read my Owl-natomy posts, scroll back to find some of them and you’ll find some more detailed info on some of their special body parts and abilities.
If you still have questions after those, just make a post and I’ll see if I can fill you in on anything!
Alright, thank you!!