Fact Check: Is the Giga Owl video real or fake? Viral claim explored
Netizens have taken to social media to express keen interest in the existence of a Giga Owl in recent days. A video of a humongous owl has spread across social media in recent days, with a narrator claiming that the same was created through “modern science.” Despite claims of their existence spreading rapidly across the internet, it is worth noting that the bird does not exist in reality.
Facebook user Bong F Faderogaya III was one of the many who took to social media on October 11 to share a video of the Giga Owl species. In the same, a narrator revealed that the brown bird had an impressive wingspan of up to 20 feet and could grow up to 15 feet. The narrator said in the video:
“Their existence demonstrates what is possible when humans blend science with nature’s amazing creations.”
It was then alleged that Giga Owls stood at two to three feet tall at birth. The video also claimed that the birds were “extremely intelligent” and could form “deep emotional bonds.”
Despite similar videos of the existence of Giga Owls circulating online, it is worth noting that the animal is not real, and videos of the same have been created by using artificial intelligence.
The Giga Owl is not a real bird
Reddit user u/Quiet-Luck took to the r/Owls subreddit on October 8 to question platform users about the existence of the large owl as well. Many took to social media posts to confirm that the video of the giant birds was created by using artificial intelligence like the Midjourney platform.
Facebook user Bing Bing also took to the social networking site to comment on the flyer. While affirming to netizens that the bird does not exist in reality, the netizen said:
Furthermore, the website, Best Lagos, also reported on the existence of the bird. On October 11, they stated that videos of the nocturnal animal “may be entertaining,” but:
“It should be noted that the “giga owl” is not real, and the supposed facts surrounding it are entirely fabricated.”
Hence, it is safe to say that species do not exist in reality.
Meanwhile, other owls have been identified across the United States, including the Barn Owl, Barred Owl, Boreal Owl, Burrowing Owl, Elf Owl, Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, Great Gray Owl, Long-eared Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, and Snowy Owl, among others.
The Blakiston’s fish owl has been identified as the largest living species of owl, with the males weighing anywhere between 6.5 and 7.5 lb and the females weighing up to 10.1 lb.