This one could get interesting! We’ve got some undeniably to tier owls in both of the contests today. This one features 2 of the best North American owls, while the other are likely the 2 most ubiquitous on the planet.

First up, the owl that’s not afraid to get down and dirty. They’ll even collect dung to put at the entrance to the burrow to cover their own scent or to deter animals from entering. They also incidentally do us some big favors. Just by being there hungry little selves, a family of Burrowing Owls can eat almost 7000 bugs and 2000 rodents each year.

Up second, the king of the night skies, the Great Horned Owl. This mighty hunter gives nightmares to que a number of it nocturnal forest brethren. Even other raptors like Osprey, Peregrines, geese, and even just about any other owl can become dinner if they aren’t alert! They are the second most massive American owl, only the Snowy is heavier. What do they do with this size and power? The use it to hold down their turf. Average home range for a GHO is 1.5 square miles / 960 acres (3.6 sq km / 388 hectares). While a whole family of Burrowing Owls can eat 2000 mice a year, a single GHO can take 4000 squeakers out of action.

The little joker has a large and vocal fan base. Burrow is a charmer and has endless numbers of cute and funny photos. GHO on the other hand, is distinguished and classy looking during the day, but at night it mercilessly patrols the area it calls home. When Watchmen needed a version of Batman, there is a reason it was Nite Owl they went with. GHO is Bruce Wayne by day, but Batman of the forest by night!

Upvote your favorite owl now!

#superbowl #owloftheyear2024

      • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
        2·
        4 days ago

        I always see things calling it the “sky tiger” online (though never once in person fwiw) and it does sound fitting. GHO is a beast, but oh so beautiful as well.

        • proudblond@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          4 days ago

          This guy is my favorite bird of all time, and I love cats. Maybe there’s a connection, ha. Although IMO he also has the most iconic hoot of all time so that also gets him big points in my book.

          • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
            2·
            4 days ago

            The one I visit at the park near my job even sits there and hisses at me like an angry cat.

            I don’t know if we’ll get GHO vs Eagle Owl in the final, but that’d be a toughy. I’d have to go with the home team, but those orange eyes of the Eagle are my fav color.

    • xxd@discuss.tchncs.de
      3·
      3 days ago

      I would love to give multiple votes. The goofy pic with the 3 burrowing owls was what got me into this community and I’ve liked them even more the more I learn about them. It’s still a tight race, but it’s sad to see them behind and maybe loosing this round. These cuties will be owl of the year 2024 in my heart!

      • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
        2·
        3 days ago

        They do have some of the most fun pics out of any owl. If you stick around, it shouldn’t be long before you get some more of them. They are always popular, so I keep my eye out for good stories and photos of them.

        • xxd@discuss.tchncs.de
          2·
          3 days ago

          Thanks for the heads up, I’ll be on the lookout for more! Also, thank you so so much for collecting and posting all this!

          • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
            1·
            3 days ago

            No problem! I try to be here to give you more of what you want.

            The tournament is fun, but also gives me some stats on what you guys like more or less, and it acts as a recruitment drive, pulling in new people that might not have been aware of us or been involved. It’s a dynamic event that lets people participate in a way that doesn’t require lurkers to chat, but still encourages them to.

            It’s a good window to the outside to show the mix of fun and education we focus on, and it shows me what the current interests of the community are. It’s now apparent to me the makeup of users has changed as different owls are doing well this year opposed to last.

            It makes the community healthier as a whole I think and gives us a rally point to kick off the upcoming year.

  • 👍Maximum Derek👍@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
    18·
    4 days ago

    Listen, there’s no denying the greatness of the Great Horned Owl - its right there in the name. They’re cunning and majestic and have great "horns. "

    But, counterpoint:

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
      7·
      4 days ago

      I will not try to dissuade you, but this pic begs me to mention something.

      I avoid pics of babies and pics of more than one owl in choosing tournament pics. The babies look very different many times, and I feel it can be either an advantage or disadvantage how they look compared to an adult, so I stick with the adults.

      Multiple owls I treat as a bit of an unfair advantage. Of course we want to see owls hanging out together, but it’s not something most species do. Burrow is a great owl, but in a pic with three, we’re multiplying the cuteness factor. If those owls were apart in different photos doing the same things, they’d be 3 alright pics. But combine them, and now it’s waaaay cuter!

      But that is something a GHO just wouldn’t do as a typical owl that lives alone. Most owls don’t like other owls because they are equal competitors in a game of life and death. If you focused on a single Burrowing Owl vs a single GHO, does that impact your choice?

      To be fair, the social structure of Burrowing Owls is a typical characteristic they have, so one could just as easily say that makes their group behavior something that should be considered.

      That’s for you guys to decide, but it made me think of sharing some of the thoughts that go into how this contest is conducted.

      • 👍Maximum Derek👍@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
        7·
        4 days ago

        To be fair, the social structure of Burrowing Owls is a typical characteristic they have

        For me this is the selling point and the extra cuteness just the cherry. They also sometimes live with prairie dogs and, when threatened, will run into their burrow and pretend to be a rattle snake. Both very interesting… and undeniably cute.

        • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
          4·
          4 days ago

          Very fair.

          I think I mentioned the rattlesnake defense the last round. That is a pretty nifty trick!

  • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
    8·
    4 days ago

    Wow, I can’t believe we lost Screech Owl! That makes one of the banner slots open, as Screech won that last year.

    This might have been one of the most competitive rounds we’ve had so far. So many times I checked in and Screech was closing in, but it never got the lead back.

    You never know what will happen!

    Tomorrow we have Buffy Fish and Saw Whet which could be just as close.

  • jxk
    2·
    4 days ago

    As always, I will continue using my strategy of voting for the owl with the biggest ears

  • Redfox8@mander.xyz
    2·
    4 days ago

    Two fabulous looking owls with much going for each of them in different ways. I’d toss a coin this round if it wasn’t for the “yeah it’s windy and I’m not happy about it!” look that tips it. That’s one big bird not to mess with!