>>28963048>>28963393>>28963349I think they chose to have the split in the middle so the beak and face could be more expressive. If they had that accurate, deeply-hooked bill it would be limited in the expressions it could make, and even an open mouth would be hard to see. If they were to make it like a real Barn Owl with the fluffy covering on the top half they would have to make it thinner. If Rowlet or Dartrix's beak was identical except for opening from the bottom, it would look way too bulbous.
It definitely ends up with a bit of a parrot look, especially from the side, but it works OK. Still looks cute. Bowanowl's beak is a more traditional shaped, hooked bill because it looks more intense and less cute.
