From Scottish Owl Centre
Did you know that the bare upper eyelids of the Milky/Verreaux’s/Giant Eagle Owl get more pink the warmer the bird gets? It’s a way for the bird to cool down in the heat of the day in their home of Africa, while still being able to snooze until night cools things down and the owl hunts. With another short heatwave here in Scotland this week our Milky ‘Shelley’ had very pink eyelids indeed
"Is this color too much?”
Now I’m picturing a French manicure on hits beak and talons! 😁
You think you’ve seen it all with owls and they still pull out surprises.
Does this owl have larger nostrils or is my perception totally skewed?
Glad to see someone actively exploring the back catalog!
I still learn cool things about these guys after all these posts. They’re really amazing animals.
I think they look proportional. There was a person for a bit that kept posting super cropped photos showing the “owl on the owl” where it looks like a bird face.
Here’s a tiny Screech and a big ol Eagle Owl and they both look the same.
You actually reminded me of something I wanted to learn more about: tubercles!
Birds need those big nostrils since flying is so energy intensive they need tremendous amounts of oxygen. Some birds though fly so fast that air at that speed could hurt them. (They don’t breath like we do, as they don’t have a diaphragm, they have a system of air sacs.)
Tubercles slow down the incoming air to a safe speed during fast dives. You can also find that same structure used in other places.
Aha, so it was my perception that was skewed on the size.
I’m looking forward to your tubercles post, it’ll be cool to see what the structure looks like for owls compared to other birds like falcons or cormorants.
I’m using Mlem and the post age doesn’t show up properly so I have no idea how old a post actually is.
Well lucky you! You get to see a whole bunch of cool owl stuff like it’s brand new. I like to think it’s all quality stuff anyway. 😇
I have no issue replying to old stuff, so explore to your heart’s content and ask whatever questions you have.
It pretty much is all quality. That’s been a joy to read.
I’m glad you’ve been enjoying it!
