The Transformer Owl

Lana is our White faced Scops Owl, although a few years ago, the powers that decide on species split them into two different species and they became known as the Northern White Faced and the Southern White faced.  The northern and Southern is referring to Africa where these owls originate from.

They are also known as the ‘Transformer owl’ for their defence mechanism, which I can tell you is absolutely fascinating to see!!!

Due to its small size, in the wild they are good prey so they have developed mechanisms when faced with a threat.

When they are faced with a small threat they will try to present themselves as large as possible by throwing out both wings and raising all their feathers, like a fan and open their eyes as wide as possible, Lana did this when we got a kitten and they seen each other for the first time.

When they are faced with a much larger threat or don’t want to risk any confrontation they pull themselves in and elongate their bodies, narrows and squints their eyes and their tufts point straight up, they attempt to disguise themselves so the threat will see them as a tree branch and back off.

It is these amazing survival techniques that has earned this little owl its big name ‘The Transformer Owl’. It is fascinating to read about but even more so when you see it in action.
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Our Lana has the most amazing nature and is great around people and she has the most beautiful big orange eyes.

Darren & Clare​