{
  "id": 7118704,
  "title": "This bird's fearsome, wide-open beak looks like it's picking a fight – but actually it's just a chick asking for food",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/this-birds-fearsome-wide-open-beak-looks-like-its-picking-a-fight-but",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-13T14:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Digital Camera World",
    "slug": "digital-camera-world",
    "url": "https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/photography/nature-and-wildlife-photography/this-birds-fearsome-wide-open-beak-looks-like-its-picking-a-fight-but-actually-its-just-a-chick-asking-for-food"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "At first glance, the image of a bird with an open, fearsome beak might suggest a confrontation is imminent. However, this Eurasian eagle owl chick is not provoking anyone, but rather signaling its hunger. The photograph, titled \"Born of Silence,\" triumphed in the Winged Life category at the California Academy of Sciences' 13th annual BigPicture: Natural World Photography Competition. The image showcases two Eurasian eagle owl chicks at a nesting site in Italy's South Tyrol, their outlines seemingly fused into one form. Photographer Philipp Egger captured this scene over many generations of owls, enabling him to discern the subtle differences between the two siblings. The more reclusively positioned chick, with half-closed eyes, embodies the species' calm intensity. Both chicks are covered in down but display the structure and presence of adult predators. Egger's patient presence at the nesting site allowed him to photograph the birds without altering their behavior. By stopping down his 400mm f/2.8 lens to f/22, Egger captured sharp images of both chick faces, despite their proximity and the challenge of maintaining focus.",
  "summary": "Philipp Egger spent years returning to the same nest, working unseen, until he captured this dramatic shot.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}