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
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.
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!
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.