Transformer owl

[rex008]

Watch as it transforms into Evil Owl!

http://epicwinftw.com/2010/06/18/awesome-photos-owls-are-weird-and-awesome/

[TightPaulFolds]

Amazing.

Is the last transformation to make it look smaller/less of a threat (defensive) or to make it look like a bird of prey?

[Claw75]

Amazing.

Is the last transformation to make it look smaller/less of a threat (defensive) or to make it look like a bird of prey?

I think it's to scare the bejesus out of the other owl.  cool stuff

[TightPaulFolds]

""You might not know that small owl species are sometimes on the menu for larger owl species.  When faced with the barn owl, which is only slightly larger than itself, the Transformer owl puffs itself up to look as big as possible in an effort to scare the barn owl away.  When faced with the second, much larger owl, however, it does the exact opposite.  By elongating its body, flattening its feathers and squinting its eyes, this little owl mimics a dead branch in the hopes of camouflaging itself from the larger bird.  It's a pretty amazing and odd-looking adaption, wouldn't you agree?""

[rex008]

""You might not know that small owl species are sometimes on the menu for larger owl species.  When faced with the barn owl, which is only slightly larger than itself, the Transformer owl puffs itself up to look as big as possible in an effort to scare the barn owl away.  When faced with the second, much larger owl, however, it does the exact opposite.  By elongating its body, flattening its feathers and squinting its eyes, this little owl mimics a dead branch in the hopes of camouflaging itself from the larger bird.  It's a pretty amazing and odd-looking adaption, wouldn't you agree?""

If that's what it's attempting, I'm not so impressed. Making itself look like an evil vampire owl is a much more impressive explanation.