Photo from Zoran Vidrih (Facebook)
Our only owl that spends it’s winters in Africa. The Eurasian scops owl (Otus scops) Slovenia, April 2024
Hiding its beak behind feathers :D
The feathers here around the beak are called rictal bristles.
There is still much debate in what functions these serve for birds.
With owls, the thought is it helps them feel and sense things close to their face. Owl eyes can’t move, due to their shape. This is why they twist their head around funny directions; their eyeballs are in fixed position. That leaves a blind spot in between them up close, which is why these special feathers may be very important to them.
But it makes him look like he’s got a happy little secret…
I said they served multiple and mysterious functions… Keeping a secret can certainly be one of those things! 😏
That makes a lot of sense, thanks :)
Of course! 🦉
