No, those aren’t really horns on the great horned owl, shown here blending in nicely with its surroundings in central Florida. The distinctive tufts of feathers on top of its head are known as ‘plumicorns.’ They have nothing to do with hearing—instead, they’re thought to be used to show expression and for camouflage. Feel free to impress your friends with this bit of trivia during the Great Backyard Bird Count, a four-day event in February that invites participants to help monitor bird populations.
Great horned owl near Lake Tohopekaliga, Florida
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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A Portuguese fort takes a star turn
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Mitsumata blossoms
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Big Bend National Park turns 78
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Presidents Day in America’s front yard
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Feeling crabby?
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A path to access
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Let’s go foraging
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Seitan Limania Beach, Crete
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Art and soul
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Make your list and check it twice
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A wetland in Västmanland, Sweden
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That bill s just not going to fit
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Stepping into autumn
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An impactful day
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The Great Glen
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Folegandros Island, Cyclades, Greece
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Celebrating Chile’s Independence Day
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Batten down the hatches
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Struck by Southwestern beauty
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Bobbio, Italy
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Join us in celebrating World Water Day
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A tale of almonds and bees
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A palace for the public
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Are you older than this lake?
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Venice by night
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Overlooking the Douro
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Ceremony Hall at Sweden s Icehotel
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Ready, set, read
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Village of Labro, Italy
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Discovery Day in Yukon, Canada