They will tend to scrunch and elongate when they’re trying to hide. Since their eyes are pretty big, closing them most of the way makes that feature stand out less.
They go big when they’re standing their ground. They’ve already been spotted, so now they want to look like the biggest, toughest owl possible.
Here’s the classic White Faced Scops video showing the little owl’s reactions to an owl slightly larger than itself and one much larger.
Birds usually don’t want to fight. There’s too much chance for anyone involved to get hurt and be left unable to fly and be unable to get food or stay safe. They want to either stay hidden or have the other party back off before anyone actually gets too physical.
ahhhhh I see! so the scrunchy face is meant to ward others off?
thats a very cool trait!
They will tend to scrunch and elongate when they’re trying to hide. Since their eyes are pretty big, closing them most of the way makes that feature stand out less.
They go big when they’re standing their ground. They’ve already been spotted, so now they want to look like the biggest, toughest owl possible.
Here’s the classic White Faced Scops video showing the little owl’s reactions to an owl slightly larger than itself and one much larger.
Birds usually don’t want to fight. There’s too much chance for anyone involved to get hurt and be left unable to fly and be unable to get food or stay safe. They want to either stay hidden or have the other party back off before anyone actually gets too physical.
You will see small birds drive off larger, more aggressive birds due to this. Usually the larger bird will just move on if it doesn’t need a meal at that moment.