Spotted owlet, Bangkok, Thailand Aug. 8, 2024

Think you can win a staring contest with one of these? With piercing yellow eyes against a grey-brown face, spotted owlets are often seen when small birds spot them during the day and mob them. Once located, these primarily nocturnal owls will often stare down intruders, bob their heads and emit a loud "chirurrr-chirurrr-chirurrr" screech, or what"s sometimes described as laughter or chuckling.

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