WINNER: SNOWY OWL 57-44

The Snowy Owl has achieved Internet legend status thanks to its O RLY? meme. It’s a large owl, and the only owl with primarily white feathers. Males lose many of their black spots as they age, while females keep them. There found all across the Arctic region, but will migrate down south to more temperate zones. Recent studies show their populations may have been overestimated, as they don’t always return to the same area. This is going to be one tough owl to beat.

The Black and White Owl is another unique looking bird. This is a medium sized owl from Central and very northern South America. It has a classic cartoon prison outfit of black and white stripes, a bright orange beak, and reddish brown eyes. It usually hangs out in the forest canopies as it primarily eats insects and bats. Is this unusual owl unique enough to get a win over one if the most popular owls?

Upvote your favorite below!

      • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
        1·
        1 year ago

        I know! I just had to use that pic when I saw it!

        I just hoped everyone thought it looked fun and not stupid. I try to show off a good variety of personality with the 3 photos too give them all an even shot.

    • saddlebag@lemmy.world
      5·
      1 year ago

      Owls have the best scowls o/o. The black cowl with reddish eyes in the OP pic and the second picture here have it winning for me.

      And thanks for doing this. Every can use a little more owls in their lives

      • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
        5·
        1 year ago

        I’m really surprised how this contest is going. I’d have pegged Snowy as a sure winner, but this is a tough one so far!

        I try to grab pics that capture a few different “moods” for these, and for some of the rare ones like this Black and White Owl is tough, because they are in very out if the way places, but that’s one of the reasons I like to spotlight them.

        To care about far off places we’ll probably never see, we need something to relate to. If you hear something bad going on in the forests if Guatemala or whatever, you probably wouldn’t care, but if you say hey, isn’t that where this cool owl lives??? it’s going to mean something to you, because you now have some type of bond to that place and that animal.

        You guys make me feel very happy when you let me know you enjoy these posts. It’s a good feeling knowing I give you all something to look forward to. I’m just a regular person, not some bird scientist, but I found this as a way I can contribute to Lemmy and do something positive for people.

    • TurtleTourPartyEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      The ruffled front feather and orange beak remind me of a monk parrot

      • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
        2·
        1 year ago

        I do see the resemblance! I remember someone before when I posted the B+W said it reminded them off a parrot as well due to the beak.

        For also being known as a Quaker Parrot, I’m surprised they are illegal in Pennsylvania (The Quaker State) as well as many parts of the country.

        From Wikipedia

        Because of monk parakeets’ listing as an agricultural pest, the U.S. states of California, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wyoming, as well as Western Australia outlaw their sale and ownership. In Connecticut, one can own monk parakeets, but cannot sell or breed them. In New York and Virginia, one can own monk parakeets with banding and registration. In Ohio, owning one is legal if the bird’s flight feathers are clipped or it is incapable of free flight.

  • clif@lemmy.world
    13·
    1 year ago

    Ooowee, this is a close race. 10v11 at time of voting.

    btw, thanks for doing this - it’s a little glimmer of fun in my morning between meetings : D

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
      10·
      1 year ago

      I’m glad you all are having fun! The reaction was a little tepid when I brought it up, but it really seems to have you guys participating at a greater rate than normal. I keep doing it every day because you guys tell me it’s a positive experience for you.

      Some of these matches have gone very different than I anticipated, so it’s fun for me to watch as well.

    • SpiderShoeCult@sopuli.xyz
      10·
      1 year ago

      Aye, these matches are awesome. The daily dose of aww, with a fun twist. Cheers to the lad doing this, we are all the better for it!

      • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
        10·
        1 year ago

        I’m glad it’s something new and fun, and hopefully we’ll all be doing it again next year too!

  • Chetzemoka@startrek.website
    6·
    1 year ago

    This one is so hard! I have no idea what to do! On the one hand, classic owl, one of my favorites. On the other hand, I feel like I must support my goth owl brethren. I’m so torn…