Do You See a Goat or an Eagle? Your Brain Might Be the Decider!

When looking at an ambiguous image of a mountain landscape, do you first notice a goat or an eagle? The figure that catches your eye first can offer insight into how your brain processes visual information.
The brain has two hemispheres: the right hemisphere, associated with creativity, intuition, and pattern recognition, and the left hemisphere, which is more logical, detailed, and analytical. Right-brained individuals might notice the goat first, which blends into the abstract curves of the landscape, indicating they perceive images in a holistic, less structured way. Left-brained individuals, on the other hand, may spot the eagle first, drawn to the clear, structured shapes and angular peaks of the mountains.
This phenomenon, called pareidolia, is when we see familiar objects or faces in random patterns, like seeing animals in clouds. It’s a survival trait that helped our ancestors quickly identify patterns or danger. Whether you see a goat or an eagle, this simple exercise highlights how our brains flex between creativity and logic depending on what we’re processing.
So, which one did you see first? What does that reveal about your brain’s approach?