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How do owls make themselves look larger when defending a nest?
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Owl
Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus).
When large owls feel threatened or are defending their nest, they perform a defense display to increase their apparent body size and intimidate potential predators. To achieve this, they spread their wings halfway and rotate them forward while raising their body feathers. This fearsome appearance is further enhanced by snapping their bill and rocking their body from side to side.1