They might look like badasses of the forest as they fly from tree to tree at night hunting for a meal, but if this cross-section of a taxidermied Great Grey Owl is to be believed, more than half of their intimidating bulk comes from their fluffy feathers.
It makes sense given they’re really only active at night when it’s cold. All the air trapped in those feathers will certainly keep them warm. But at the same time, now that they’re exposed as nature’s frauds, there’s no reason to flee in fear every time you hear one hooting from a nearby tree. I mean, I can’t be the only one happy to be freed from a crippling fear of owls, right? [Wikipedia via Beth Pratt via BoingBoing]