Every few years there's something that goes mega viral because people can't decide what it is.
There was the famous "is it blue and black, or white and gold" dress?
There was the audio recording that said either "yanny" or "Laurel."
Now people are scratching their heads and arguing whether the animal in a viral video is a bird or a rabbit. It all started when Imgur user Horseonbike shared a video of someone petting an animal with black fur (or feathers).
RELATED: Bizarre optical illusion has people either seeing a car door or the beach
This thing that has most people confused is the positioning of the "ears" of the rabbit or the "beak" of the bird.
I think there's something wrong with your rabbit. https://t.co/Llr6QQ6Nd1 pic.twitter.com/V4LHapsZD3
— Imgur (@imgur) August 17, 2019
The video started a heated debate on Twitter.
— ShadowSpade (@ShadowSpadeXIV) August 19, 2019
I see a raven. Anyone else?
— TravellingMan (@SJJB55) August 19, 2019
no that's a bunny
— Joe Wadlington (@JoeWadlington) August 19, 2019
It looks like you are stroking the head of a crow. Wild.
— The Electric Agora (@ElectricAgora) August 19, 2019
Clearly a rabbit
— Nick Simmonds (@Diacritic) August 19, 2019
Not sure if rubbing left looking rabbit on the nose
or
an upward looking bird on the head (ears=beak) pic.twitter.com/RxTMwWD7za
— ꜱᴡᴀᴘɴɪʟ ಠ_ಠ ʙʜᴀᴛɪᴀ (@synbiocs) August 18, 2019
It's gold.
No,no, wait, it's blue.
— Dan Shires (@vertigowooyay) August 18, 2019
ok so I posted this on your fb too, but gotta make sure people appreciate it here too haha pic.twitter.com/zFl1uEvmDi
— Dani Crain (@DCrainium) August 18, 2019
The image is very similar to the ambiguous sketch psychologist Joseph Jastrow created in 1899 to to demonstrate the power of suggestion.
In one study, the image was shown to children around Easter and they tended to see the image as a rabbit. But when children were shown the image around October, more saw it as a duck.
RELATED: This freaky sketch is a mind-bending example of the power of suggestion
The image is an example of how we internally project our life experiences and assumptions onto ambiguous visual stimuli.
So what type of animal is in the video?
It's a corvidae or a member of the family of birds which includes crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws, jays, magpies, treepies, choughs, and nutcrackers
Note: This article was originally published August 20, 2019.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.