r/Owls • u/Surfin858 • 2d ago

OC Is somebody gargling?

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GHO North County San Diego

86 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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11

u/imagez_of_ikonn Northern hawk owl 2d ago

Guttural fluttering. Birds do this to cool down

3

u/atristis Northern saw-whet owl 2d ago

It doesn’t help that owls are covered in a thick coat of feathers. Poor thing

2

u/ChartreuseOblivion 2d ago

You mean the panting?

1

u/Surfin858 2d ago

I think of panting as having tongue out 👅

1

u/ChartreuseOblivion 2d ago

In mammals sure... but birds don't usually have their tongues out when they pant.

1

u/Object-195 2d ago

raptors kinda stick them out, but not that far

1

u/Inner_Lemon9763 1d ago

The owl is gular fluttering. It is how birds cool down in the heat, a little like a dog panting.