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

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
      2·
      2 days ago

      Fear not, I have a whole stack of Snowy pics to share now that it isn’t a conflict of interest! Photographers will always be on Snowies likes ants to honey.

  • 𝕽𝖚𝖆𝖎𝖉𝖍𝖗𝖎𝖌𝖍
    91·
    3 days ago

    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.

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
      6·
      3 days ago

      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. 😜

      • 𝕽𝖚𝖆𝖎𝖉𝖍𝖗𝖎𝖌𝖍
        5·
        3 days ago

        Ah, but the bristles are more prominent on some species, ĉu 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.

        • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
          4·
          3 days ago

          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!

  • pseudo@jlai.lu
    5·
    3 days ago

    How do you sa yin English “combat de regard”? “Eyes fight”? “Glaring contest”?

      • ChaosCoatiEnglish
        7·
        3 days ago

        When it comes to owls I think “glaring contest” could definitely work too

          • ChaosCoatiEnglish
            2·
            3 days ago

            Haha true. Eagle owl and GHO always seem like high stakes players to me, plus I worked with a grumpy GHO so I’m sure that colors my impression of the species

            • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
              3·
              3 days ago

              The local park GHO is definitely a sassy lady. She sits there hissing at me the whole time, but she’s not going to move…she’ll just hiss until I move along. I never see the people feeding her linger any longer than necessary either, so that doesn’t win her over either.

  • proudblond@lemmy.worldEnglish
    31·
    2 days ago

    If my beloved GHO can’t win, then Eurasian Eagle should! So majestic… and catlike lol

  • Optional@lemmy.world
    51·
    3 days ago

    While Rush album Snowy Owl is one of my all-time faves, I’mma root and toot for the Eagle Owl this year. *Sousa-like-tunes*