Snowy put all the haters to rest with a win over the Barn Owl. This frosty feathered one has taken on some of the most exciting owls from the equator we could find. It's a personal favorite that drives people to do crazy things to catch a glimpse of them. It's a real celebrity amongst owls. This owl has the energy of a winner and it's looking to out do its second place it got last year.
Many were sad GHO had to make way for the Saw Whet, but Eagle Owl is looking to pick up their endorsement in its stead. They've got a lot of the same characteristics that make them great owls. They're big with classy patterned feathers. Large talons with crushing grip strength to take care of the largest prey, having been known to (rarely) catch foxes or roe deer fawns! A potential upgrade over the GHO is the Eagle Owl has orange eyes instead of yellow.
Which of these jumbo sized owls will you send to the finals? Will we have a rematch between Snowy and the Scops? Will the Eagle Owl put the Snowy on ice? Upvote now to give us our service finalist!
#superbowl #owloftheyear2024
The Eagle Owl has more going for it than just a striking color, so while I tend to favor Snowy - and it does have some prominent riktal bristles - I'm going for EO in this one.
Snowy is kind of a blob, when you extract that shocking white.
Lol they all have the rictal bristles since they all have the same blind spot at their mouth otherwise. It's mainly if they're of contrasting color and how fluffed the owl is that makes them stand out.
And to be fair to Snowy, the blob is functional, it didn't just let itself go after finding a mate. π
Ah, but the bristles are more prominent on some species, Δu ne? You can also say they all have ears, but the GHO and this EO really have some ears!
I'm liking the complexity of the EO this morning. Some days, I like the sphere, some days I like the abstract art.
Fair enough. They're all the best to me, after all. That's why I make you guys tell me who's the best of the year!
It's really tough choices, this time around. The Saw Whet v Scopes is particularly tortuous; I'd hoped to never have to choose between them.
When it's been narrowed down to this few choices, it really cranks the pressure up to choose the right one!
Tbh itβs the ears that decided it for me π π
I'm all ears when it comes to your votes!