The Southern White-Faced owl is very unique in the sense that it can change its appearance when it feels threatened. The owl comes from Gabon to Southern Kenya and south to Namibia and Northern South Africa. It is also known to inhabit Savannah and dry woodland. This owl of course is in a few wildlife sanctuaries as well and has entertained people with its unique ability. For anyone that has never seen this owl, I’m sure you will love the video.
I can understand why the name on the video is “Transformer Owl” 😀
Cheers! How can anyone not like that video!!! Of course the greater question is around the evolutionary rationale behind this ability. Ok … too thought provoking … 😉 … Thanks for sharing.
Hi afrankangle,
It really is an adorable owl, I’m glad you enjoyed the video. 🙂
Oh my gosh, “Evil Owl” is hysterical!
Hi Laurie,
The owl really is funny when he puts on the “evil” face. 😆
He looks like a little vampire – too cute! Can you imagine running into this guy at night in the woods? That would kind of freak me out! I think his defense is probably pretty effective 🙂
Interesting how it’s an expression he uses to defend himself. They say that birds can read people’s expressions. I use expressions to scold my Conure, I gave her an “Oh how could you!!” expression once when she bit me too hard, she hasn’t done it again, so it seems to be working.
Hi doudou,
If I seen this owl at night in the woods looking like that, I’m sure I would be running. 😆
I hadn’t heard that about birds, but it does make a lot of sense.
What an incredible owl making all those changes to himself for protection. Isn’t nature amazing?
Hi barb19,
Nature certainly is amazing, if you told someone you seen an owl turn into Dracula, they wouldn’t believe it. 😀
Not sure what you were googling to find this.
Now I want an evil glare.
Hi El Guapo,
👿 That’s the best I can do. 😆
Awesome! That owl is a hoot! 🙂
lol Is that a pun?
Hi E.C.,
He certainly is. 🙂
“Is that a pun” yes. 😆
That was hysterical! My kids loved it!
Hi She’s a Maineiac,
That’s great, I’m happy to hear the kids loved it. 🙂
yeah, he sure was a hoot! 😉 That was so funny, what he did with his eyes and all that…
Hi Rebekah,
His eyes are incredible aren’t they, one minute there were these huge bulging eyes staring, and the next they were completely gone. 🙂
I’m sure glad they’re not in Texas – I get alarmed enough with standard critters! It is nice to see what’s really out there in the world – from the safety of your posts!
Hi Texasjune,
The owl has a look only a mother would love. 🙂
There are some weird and wonderful animals out there that are best to only see in blogs.
Amazing. My kids will love this.
Hi Theresa,
Things like this are great for kids, it is something they will remember I feel because it is funny to watch, they may not remember the name of the owl, but they will always remember what this owl can do. 🙂
How cool is that! Never seen anything like it. We have lots of Tawny Owls here abouts, they look like bark and you cant see them at all unless you know what to lock for.
Hi Kymbo,
Cool is right. 🙂
The Tawny owl is unreal how they can hide on the bark because of their colouring.
Lovely! And, he looks so cute when not in ‘Don’t mess with me!’ mode!
Hi travelrat,
I agree he is very cute, it’s amazing how he can transform himself.
Thanks Mags for sharing this amazing video clip.
Hi Mal,
Thank You for taking the time to read and comment of my blog while you are enjoying your holiday in NZ. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
What a fascinating creature! Every time we turn around there is yet another intriguing animal to discover in the vast world of nature…
Hi Barbara,
That is so true. 🙂
Another great find Mags. Wow I love owls but I’ve never seen anything like this. I don’t believe that it was the same bird. How could that cute bird with the big eyes transform into the tall thin thing? I was frustrated that I couldn’t understand the subtitles.
Hi dearrosie,
Unfortunately their is not an English video on this that shows all the transformations like this video does.
The owl is certainly amazing how it can change it’s whole body.
WOW. I have never seen anything like that before. Fantastic. I love it.
Hi Selma,
This species of owl is certainly one of a kind. 😀
The fluffing up to make itself look bigger is common to a lot of animals. We still have traces of it ourselves (hackles rising on your neck when you’re afraid). But the “evil” transformation could be the owl trying to look like wood, or perhaps an attempt to look like a feline. Whatever it is, it probably gives nightmares to unsuspecting bird predators who first see the “cute little thing” as their next meal. You can just imagine their gears grinding as they try to swing into reverse in full pouncing flight.
Hi Lady Marilyn,
I agree, I think it would scare the predators off, with the total transformation, it would look like a completely different animal to them I’m assuming.
If I happened across that owl in the wild and it pulled the Count Dracula move on me I think I’d run screaming. You’d think it was a bit of CGI trickery.
Hi Gregoryno6,
You would wonder what it was, it certainly doesn’t look like an owl when in “disguise”. 🙂
Very cool!! You know from my zoo post today that I saw an owl, but this one is amazing!!
Hi Travel Spirit,
Great photos in your blog today of the animals.
The White-Faced Owl in one of a kind I feel.
Thank You for visiting and your comment.
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