Occipital face

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The occipital face (from the Latin occiput - back of the head) is a drawing on the neck of a bird that roughly imitates a face with light spots forming a pattern corresponding to the eyes, eyebrows and beak. It is found in various small birds of prey and a number of smaller owls in the real owl family . Various possible functions have been suggested for the occipital face, none of which have been conclusively proven. It could serve to deter predators or songbirds annoying birds of prey by suggesting constant attention in all directions. The small body size of the species with an occipital face, as well as the particularly pronounced markings in young birds of the great falcon ( Falco sparverius ) speak for such a function . A role in couple bonding has also been suggested, whereby the occipital face should simulate a constant focus on the partner.

The little owl , which is also widespread in Central Europe, is one of the species of owl with a striking occipital face . In the large genus Glaucidium , it is a genus-specific characteristic. The ornithologists Claus König and Friedhelm Weick , who specialize in owls, use this feature to distinguish the species that clearly belong to this genus from those that belong to the genus Taenioglaux . In the latter, the occipital face is absent.

supporting documents

  • J. Ferguson-Lees, DA Christie: Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm, London, 2001, ISBN 0-7136-8026-1 , p. 61.