2 Faced...

Bird: Collared Owlet (Glaucidium brodiei)
Location: Khao Yai National Park, Thailand

A super cute owlet (my 3rd from TH) was our big bonus of the day at Khao Yai National Park - the Collared Owlet (Glaucidium brodiei)..

It is one of the smallest owls in the world and the smallest in Asia, at 15 cm (6 in) and 60 grams (2.1 oz), and the very special feature of this owlet is that it has another "face" at the back of its head - a feather pattern that resembles another owl face !!!

When it first turned its head, I was totally taken by surprise and thought to myself - was I shooting the "right" face ??? What just happened ???
I'm very happy and lucky indeed to add this special sweetie to my owlet collection.. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

#1: Back of head showing another owl "face" (feather pattern) - 2 "eye spots", looks somewhat like the face of the Spotted Wood Owl..
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#2: Side profile view showing both the real face and the "eye spots" at the back of the head..
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#3: Full frontal face shot - showing the real face of this cute owlet..
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Wow! This is awesome. Nice capture bro.

Very cute, I miss this twice...

You always got good luck, must follow you next time...

it is a technique to protect itself from danger that comes from behind its head, scaring them off. Although gaining better stereotypic vision to help see clearer in the dark, it loses the capability of the wide view angle that is common it other birds, so they are one of the only birds that could not see anything behind them and this pattern comes in handy to fool both predators and prey that it is always staring at you......

Good capture and nice details, didn't know this one has 2 faces.

Nice. 1st pic, i thought it was asleep...

Cute bird and well done

wah,nice collection bro!

so cute:cheers:

Another beautiful collection.

Excellent !

So cute

Congrats! Very cute owlet!

Thanks BENCYF, Mr No Good, jytou, jack2964, Sai Foo, Nelson, Desmond, Eagle, mun, horukuru, bklim, makus for viewing and all your nice comments.. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Happy New Year and may we all enjoy good luck, great birding, and fantastic shots this coming year.. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]