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.

Photos by Alan de Queiroz

  • @JetpackJackson
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    88 months ago

    That’s an interesting face shape! I’ve never really seen an owl like that before

    • anon6789OP
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      78 months ago

      They are unique little cuties, and I feel they don’t get enough attention.

      Their overall shape is still very screech owlish, but the definition of the facial disc and the smaller, more horn looking ear tufts remind me of the Bay Owls, but in a less alien way.

      Owls distort their faces and bodies for a number of purposes, so you’ll see them looking quite different picture to picture. That’s one of the main things I look at when finding pics to post. I try to find you new poses you haven’t seen a million times.

      • @JetpackJackson
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        28 months ago

        Oh wow I didn’t know that! That’s so cool. That owl definitely gives me alien vibes lol. I can definitely see the resemblance with the ear tufts like you said.

        • anon6789OP
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          38 months ago

          Bay Owls took that uncanny valley feel I had for Barn Owls up even higher. The extra large eyes set up so high cranks that alien factor up even more. I find them very creepy-cute at their normal size, but if you woke up at night to a chest high version of this at the foot of the bed, anyone would need new sheets!

        • anon6789OP
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          28 months ago

          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!

          • @JetpackJackson
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            28 months ago

            Oh wow TIL!! eye tubes? Hearing in 3d? Owls are crazy creatures! Thank you for sharing all these pictures and info with me :3

            • anon6789OP
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              18 months ago

              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!