Flapjack is a beloved character from the popular animated fantasy TV series The Owl House, which first premiered on the Disney Channel in 2020. He is the tiny palisman sidekick of the show’s protagonist Luz Noceda. Palismen are magical bird-like creatures in the world of The Owl House that act as companions and tools for witch apprentices. Fans are curious about what type of bird Flapjack is supposed to resemble. While his species has never been officially confirmed, there are some clues that provide hints about what kind of bird he could be based on his physical appearance and abilities within the show.
Flapjack’s Physical Features
Flapjack has several distinctive physical features that may indicate what species of bird he is modeled after:
Small size
One of the most noticeable things about Flapjack is his very small size. He is able to perch comfortably on Luz’s shoulder or fit inside her pocket. This suggests he is likely based on a smaller species of bird.
Large round eyes
Flapjack has disproportionately large, round eyes in comparison to his body size. Many small bird species that are active during the night have enlarged eyes to help them see in dim lighting, including owls, nightjars, and frogmouths. Flapjack’s big round eyes indicate he may be based on a nocturnal or crepuscular bird.
Short hooked beak
While the shape of Flapjack’s beak has varied slightly across episodes, it is generally short and hooked like a raptor’s beak. This rules out songbirds and perching birds, which have longer pointed beaks. It suggests he may have a raptor like an owl or hawk as his basis.
Pointed crest
On the top of Flapjack’s head is a prominent pointed crest. Several raptor species have pointed crests, including many eagle and hawk species. The pointed crest is common for bird palismen in The Owl House universe and seems inspired by predatory birds.
Feather tufts resembling ears
On the sides of Flapjack’s head are tufts of feathers shaped like pointed ears. The ear tufts are strongly reminiscent of horned owls, whose feather tufts resemble ears or horns. Flapjack’s ear-like tufts indicate an owl may have been used in his design.
Short legs with talons
Flapjack has short legs that end in sharp talons rather than flat feet like a perching songbird. Raptors have powerful grasping talons on their legs to catch and kill prey. The prominent talons give another clue that Flapjack is likely a raptor.
Flapjack’s Abilities and Behaviors
In addition to his physical appearance, Flapjack displays some abilities and behaviors in the show that provide further clues to what kind of bird he resembles:
Flight
Flapjack has functional wings and is capable of flying independently. His flight abilities rule out flightless bird species as inspiration for his design.
Grasping with talons
Flapjack can grasp and carry objects in his talons. For example, he helps Luz collect ingredients by carefully picking them up with his feet. This grasping ability points to a raptor with strong feet like an owl.
Rotating head
Flapjack frequently rotates his head around a full 270 degrees. This ability to turn the head nearly all the way around is shared by owls. It allows him to look in any direction without having to turn his whole body.
Nocturnal habits
Flapjack is usually awake at night with Luz and Eda and sleeps during the daytime. His apparent nocturnal tendencies fit with him being based on a nocturnal species like an owl that is active mainly at night.
Making trilling noises
Flapjack sometimes makes soft trilling noises, particularly when interacting affectionately with Luz. Some types of owls like screech owls make trilling sounds, while no hawk species are known for trilling. The trilling vocalization is more evidence of Flapjack being based on an owl.
Specific Owl Species
Based on his set of physical and behavioral traits, Flapjack seems to most closely resemble a type of owl. There are over 200 species of owls, but a few specific candidates seem like plausible inspirations for Flapjack:
Screech owl
A likely match for Flapjack is the Eastern or Western screech owl. These small owls have ear tufts, yellow eyes, hooked beaks, and make trilling calls. They are also common owl species for falconers to use as hunting companions, fitting Flapjack’s palisman role.
Elf owl
The very small elf owl with its large eyes, ear tufts, nocturnal habits, and southwestern US range is another contender. Elf owls grow to only about 5-6 inches tall, so they match Flapjack’s tiny size.
Pygmy owl
The Northern and Central American pygmy owls are pint-sized owls with oversized eyes and round heads that could also be an inspiration choice. They have ear tufts and prefer dense woodlands like those around The Owl House.
To summarize the likely species:
| Species | Traits Matching Flapjack |
|---|---|
| Screech Owl | Small size, ear tufts, trilling vocalizations |
| Elf Owl | Very small size, large eyes, ear tufts |
| Pygmy Owl | Small size, round head, ear tufts |
Conclusion
While Flapjack’s exact species has not been officially confirmed, he has a number of physical and behavioral traits that point to him being based on some type of small owl, most likely the screech owl. Key owl-like features include his large eyes, ear-like tufts, hooked beak, talons, rotating head, and trilling vocalizations. His ability to fly rules out flightless bird species. And his lack of a long pointed beak indicates he is not a perching songbird. Overall, the screech owl is a very good match for Flapjack in terms of size, appearance, sounds, and nature, making it the most plausible real-world inspiration for this beloved palisman. But elf owls and pygmy owls also share numerous traits with Flapjack, so they seem like other reasonable possibilities. While his exact species remains a mystery, Flapjack certainly embodies many classic owl characteristics, and this magical owl-inspired palisman will continue to be a fan favorite among viewers of the whimsical animated series The Owl House.
