Ok, so maybe not a special species of owl, but how about the only sighting of one species, ever, in North America. The Northern Boobook on St. Paul Island, Pribilofs
And I didn't know about the plates either. Actually, I didn't know any of this information. I've been reading for 3 weeks :)
It looks like it is silently judging me D: @regularowl come to say hi
(I can't believe I just upvoted my own comment...the owl is judging me, not you!)
I think it may be doing just that! 😁
The owls were called by @mathowl
I don't know where you find these, but they make my day :)