Let me start with my apologies, I stayed up too late trying to prep these posts and accidentally posted Screech vs Scops too soon. I'll leave that open the full 24 hours from now as I intended, so if you've already been to that post, just head back over there after this and you can upvote your choice now.

Welcome to the Battle of the Giants! While the Great Grey would be the longest owl, it is also more feather by volume than most owls. Going by actual mass, the 2 contestants today are the biggest and baddest of them owl!

Blakiston's Fish Owl (new and improved name pending) could be call the King of the North. Found only in the coldest parts of Japan, China, and Russia, this is the biggest owl of all. The BFO is actually a closer relative to the Eagle Owls than to the Fish Owls, so we also have a bit of family rivalry today, though we still aren't sure if its true lineage yet. Males weigh in at up to 8 lbs /3.6 kg, and the females 10 lbs / 4.6 kg. Length is up to 28 in / 72 cm. They have unique fluffy plumicorns that look weighed down to the sides. As large as they are, they are still cavity nesters! This means they have very limited places left to exist, as they need very old undisturbed forest with dead trees large enough they can fit inside, while still being close to the water for them to hunt. This makes these owls very rare these days, as the remaining ones are in places inhospitable to humans.

The Eurasian Eagle Owl is likely much more familiar. This owl lives across most of Europe and Asia, with some similar relatives filling out the southern parts of Eurasian down into Africa. Size-wise it comes close to the Blakiston's, measuring around and inch or so, 3 cm, shorter. The mass of some can just about match the Blakiston's, but they typically are still short of tipping the scales. They survive in a much wider range of environments, including mountains, more open forest, steppe, and can even manage to do well in farmland or huge cities. This is the species of owl that Flaco, the rogue New York City owl sensation was. These owls nest in rock piles and cliff faces, so they are not bound to huge trees. The Eurasian Eagle Owl is also adapted to survive on a much wider range of prey than most owls, managing to hunt successfully enough to catch enough prey that would be too small for most birds its size.

Will the reclusive King of Cold warm your heart, or will the versatile Eagle Owl rock your world? Upvote your favorite!

Today we have a battle of the Scops owls. One from the Far East, and one from the West.

The Screech Owl is North America's Scops owl. There are both Eastern and Western Screeches, with Eastern coming in red, brown, or gray and Western coming in gray and brown. They live in semi-open forest. Contrary to the name, they don't Screech, but make a pleasant trilling sound. They are small and round with expressive faces. Their charm makes them very popular year round, and they were in last year's Final 4. If there was one single owl I would say everyone would like, it would be a red morph Screech.

Next up is the Philippine Scops. This one is built very similar, but the looks make it look like the Screech's evil twin. There are also 3 color morphs,a light brown, and 2 different grey patterns. It is one of the largest Scops owls, reaching 11 inches/28 cm vs around 8 inches/20 cm from the Screech. They have dark eyes instead of the yellow of the Screech, and they have a red/orange ring around them.

Do you like your little owls sweet and innocent, or will the bad boy knock that pipsqueak out of the winners churches and claim victory for itself? Vote below now!

Give an upvote to your favorite!

*Sorry, I fell asleep while making the post! * 😧

From Bruce Danz

With winter comes Snowy Owls, I hope! There were few last winter in Wisconsin, so I'm hoping for more this year. This Snowy Owl was preening itself on a Lake Michigan ice flow early this year when I found it. It then flew in my general direction resulting in this photo.

From Cape Wildlife Center

Screeching for joy this week as we nurse this adorable little friend back to health!

This adult Eastern Screech Owl (I know, hard to believe with how precious and small they are!) was brought to our Weymouth hospital by Natural Resource Officer Josh Kimball with Cohasset Police Department, Cohasset MA Animal Control after it was witnessed falling from a tree. At first glance it was clear there was something troubling her left wing as she was unable to hold it to her body and it was dragging by her side. Our team performed a full examination including radiographs to see the extent of the injury. When we looked at the radiograph we could not BELIEVE our eyes. The broken bones in the wing were so displaced we couldn't believe the wing was still attached. Knowing what kind of muscle and nerve damage was also present we knew this was probably going to have a poor prognosis..

But we had to give it a try...so that's exactly what we did.

She was sedated for surgery and closely monitored by our CVTS while Dr. Patel got to work repairing her fracture. She placed intramedullary pins and an external fixator to stabilize the fracture as it heals (after photo below). The surgery was challenging because this patient was SMALL we had to use spinal needles as pins. Where there is a will there's a way and this screech owl and our team sure have will.The surgery went beautifully and she is recovering amazingly! She is receiving multiple pain medications, antiinflammatories, and fluid therapy to keep her comfortable. With this fracture stabilized it's now a waiting game to see how the muscles and nerves heal and if she'll have full function again in the wing. We are doing everything we can for this little patient but she could sure use some healing thoughts sent her way!

Before and After X-ray

We've got a pair of very contrasting owls in this match.

The stoic Little Owl lives in temperate Eurasian and northern Africa. This modestly small owl is thought to be the pet of Athena/Minerva, serving as an advisor, guide, and companion. This owl is one that actually enjoys some human presence. They prefer the openness of farmland, fields, and orchards for the open spaces in which they hunt. They will swoop down on some prey, but also do a lot of hunting on foot.

The Milky Eagle Owl on the other hand, is Africa's largest owl. This owl has a very unique look, having a sad and pouty face with prominent pink eyelids. The Milky is large and powerful enough to eat almost anything it chooses, and being an apex predator keeps it safe from most other animals. Do not let its size fool you though-while it normally swoops prey, it is still quick and agile enough to catch insects in midair.

Will the mythological owl spirit away with a win, or will the massive hunter from the African savannah claim a mighty victory?

Vote for your favorite below by upvoting your choice. Winner is the owl with the most upvotes after 24(ish) hours. Feel free to vote for both, but no downvotes, as they will be thrown out. A neutral third party will break any ties. Cast your vote now, and feel free to cheer on your choice in the comments, but no bashing the other owl or your fellow community members. They are all superb!

#superbowl #owloftheyear2024

From Ben Sunne

Great evening at Sax Zim Bog.

The world's smallest owl, the Elf Owl is tiny in stature, but no less a raptor than any of its bigger relatives. It lives in the North American Southwest and Mexico, calling hollowed out cacti their home. This vicious beast loves to snack on scorpions, roofing aside the stingers and chowing down. They aren't much of a fighter, and will play dead to fake out any larger predator. Can this little darling show good things come in small packages?

The Long Eared Owl is found around the world in temperature climates north of the equator. The roost deep in the woods, but like hunting in open areas at the forest edge. They have a more specifically diet than most owls, sticking mainly to rodents, especially voles. Also unlike other owls, they aren't especially territorial, and will move around a bit, being a bit nomadic, and they will even spend time around one another. They have lovely orange facial discs and yellow to orange eyes, giving them a lovely appearance, and of course those lovely long ears

Do you long to see the Long Ear go on, or will you raise the Elf up in the shelf of victory?

Vote for your favorite below by upvoting your choice. Winner is the owl with the most upvotes after 24(ish) hours. Feel free to vote for both, but no downvotes, as they will be thrown out. A neutral third party will break any ties. Cast your vote now, and feel free to cheer on your choice in the comments, but no bashing the other owl or your fellow community members. They are all superb!

#superbowl #owloftheyear2024

From Wild Action

It's beginning to looka lot like Christmas! 'Bandit' the baby boobook owl and 'Gandalf the tawny frogmouth are ready for their first festive season....In our house, we just leave the tree up all year round, and just take the decorations down. The Christmas tree ... is their favourite place to perch.

This should be a tense battle for opening day! Representing New Zealand and Australia, we have 2 tough competitors!

The Morepork, aka Ruru, is the only native owl of New Zealand still around. This little cutie has spent over 200 years trying to not get categorized as just another Australian Boobook type owl. Morepork lives in hardwood forests where it hunts with a fairly unique hawk like agility to catch large invertebrates as well as birds.and mice. Like the Barking Owl, this owl is named after the sound it makes. The native Maori heard "Ruru" while the British heard a "more pork" phrase.

Australia's Barking Owl is best known for its call reminiscent of a small dog's bark. In a rarity for raptors, males are larger than females by about 10%. They live along the coasts in forested areas, and they have one of the broadest diets of any Australian owl, eating things from trees, the ground, the surface of water, or right out of the air.

Which famously vocal owl down under will get your vote today?

Vote for your favorite below by upvoting your choice. Winner is the owl with the most upvotes after 24(ish) hours. Feel free to vote for both, but no downvotes, as they will be thrown out. A neutral third party will break any ties. Cast your vote now, and feel free to cheer on your choice in the comments, but no bashing the other owl or your fellow community members. They are all superb!

#superbowl #owloftheyear2024

From Lavin Photography

When you get pulled over by the Owl Police. Snowy Owl, Minnesota

"What's the hurry here, buddy?

You didn't want to miss voting for Owl of the Year?!

Well that's understandable, so I'll let you off with a warning this time..."

Have you voted yet???

Round 1

Round 2

Full Bracket

Welcome to the Owl of the Year!

We've seen a ton of great owls this year, but it is time to choose who is the most superb of all!

The White Faced Owl is your returning champion. Hailing from Africa, just about anywhere south of the equator, this smaller owl is adaptable to near anything it encounters. This is the famous "transforming owl" that can go from cute and fluffy, to long and skinny, to looking possessed by demons! It's also one of only 3 owls studied for their amazing ability to seasonally adapt its metabolic rate, up to 45% to deal with climate extremes. Will this versatility keep it on the road to the title?

Looking to snatch a surprise victory is the masked bandit from the Andes, the Buff Fronted Owl. This owl just squeaked into the qualifying match and now gets to try to take down the king. Not too much is known about this dashing bird, but it lives in many environments in almost every South American country, inhabiting mountains, rainforest, and orchards and palm groves. Its closest genetic relative is actually Canada's Saw Whet Owl. This owl has a great sense of style with a mysterious flair. Will the suave newcomer steal a win today?

Vote for your favorite below by upvoting your choice. Winner is the owl with the most upvotes after 24(ish) hours. Feel free to vote for both, but no downvotes, as they will be thrown out. A neutral third party will break any ties. Cast your vote now, and feel free to cheer on your choice in the comments, but no bashing the other owl or your fellow community members. They are all superb!

#superbowl #owloftheyear2024

From Patrick Gottwald

Im Reich der Eulen. Wenn das Laub schön bunt ist und die Temperatur langsam fällt, ist es Zeit für meine alljährliche Tour zu den Waldohreulen.

Es sind ein paar sehr schöne Fotos entstanden. Dies hier ist mein persönlicher Favorit: Die neugierige Eule.

In the realm of owls. When the leaves are beautifully colorful and the temperature is slowly dropping, it's time for my annual tour to the Wood Eared Owls.

Took some very nice pictures. This one is my personal favorite: the curious owl.

From Don Wiggans

The Screech Owl sure has a good hiding spot from the Nuthatch!

From Ryan Burg

Special weekend with this beautiful and very squinty arctic visitor. Seems this one might be in need of a nice pair of snowy-sized sunglasses.

Last year's Owl of the Year, the White Faces Scops.

From Karen Stander Van Jaarsveld

A very wet Southern White-faced owl, Kgalagadi. (Botswana)

I was going to originally start Owl of the Year today, but coming home from vacation took more out of me than I had anticipated, so we'll kick it off tomorrow!

This post felt fitting.

@[email protected] is singlehandedly keeping this place alive so I thought I'd also participate and share a photo I took last month. This is a burrowing owl I photographed on the grounds of a hotel in Brasilia. A couple of these guys made their burrow in a little ~~hole~~ hill at the bottom of the garden and were seemingly unbothered by hotel guests that were walking past. I have a couple of other shots but this is my favourite. Thanks for all your superb owl posts anon6789!

From Suffolk Owl Sanctuary

Meet Ember - a touch of magic to the skies. Ember is the same species as other barn owls seen in the UK, but he has extra melanin (pigmentation) in his feathers which makes him that gorgeous charcoal and orange! We think Ember is gorgeous!

From Center for Wildlife

Since the start of November, we have admitted 33 owls to our Wildlife Medical Clinic (see below to learn why). A vast majority of these have been barred owls, our most common owl species found in our region, but we have also admitted a couple of our smallest regional owls.

Pictured here are the two smallest of our regional owls, the Eastern Screech Owl and the Northern Saw-whet Owl. The Northern Saw-whet Owl is the smallest of our regional species and maxes out at about 7-8 inches tall and typically weighs under 150 grams. These secretive little owls usually prefer well-forested habitats and are most commonly found in the shelter of densely foliated conifer trees. The Eastern Screech Owl comes in at a whopping 6-10 inches tall and is a cavity dweller that loves to nest in the cavities of old growth trees in mixed -forest habitats.

The Northern Saw-whet Owl pictured here came to us after a window strike. The Eastern Screech Owl, along with the vast majority of the other owls admitted this month came to us after being hit by cars. This time of year, sunset lines up perfectly with evening rush hour traffic. As the favorite hunting time of many of our owls overlaps with increased cars on the road, we regularly see increases in instances of owls being hit by cars. Rubbish that collects along roadways attracts small mammals which then attract owls on the hunt. When swooping down in pursuit of prey, owls commonly must pass in front of cars traveling on busy roadways.

Here are some things you can do to help owls:

• Keep roadways clean by never disposing things from your car (including biodegradable items), leaving your trash in a covered receptacle, or by conducting roadside cleanups!

• Slow down! Drive slow and stay vigilant when driving through heavily wooded areas.

• If you see an owl in the roadway, give them a hand. Sometimes birds are stunned and may take off from a safe area or if injured, wrap them in a towel and transport them to your nearest licensed care facility.

Looking for more tips for wildlife rescue, head to our website!

From Wild Skies Raptor Center

Raptor persecution is still well and alive.

This Great Horned Owl is one of the few success stories after a raptor is shot. In the first image of the x- ray, you can see the white spots in her left wing affecting the radius/ulna to her metacarpals. These spots indicate bullet fragments.

This owl required a long stent in rehab and was in care for 280 days (Rescued Feb 10 this year). While she healed from the injuries within a few months, her flight feathers were sheared off, and we had to wait for her to molt. We tried imping (a feather implant), but she chewed the imped feathers out.

Getting this beauty where she belongs was worth the time and resources. She was finally released back to the wild on Nov 15th.

We want to thank Chloe and lsacc for rescuing this owl and becoming dedicated volunteers who helped us quickly rescue injured raptors in the Bitterroot Valley.

We are grateful that Julie Lue with MT FWP published an article on this widespread threat in raptor conservation-link to the latest issue of Montana Outdoors with an article about raptor persecution. (Starts on page 37, warning: dead bird images)

From NM Wildlife Center

Whooooo was in that x-ray we posted this morning? That would be one of our current hospital patients, Western Screech-Owl 24-963. This owl arrived with a fractured ulna, which we were able to feel during the owl's intake exam. At the end of the exam, we took a "plop" x-ray - a quick snapshot taken while the patient is conscious but immobilized under carefully placed towels - to check on the placement of the fracture.

What we saw in the x-ray was a mid-shaft fracture, which generally has a better prognosis than one close to a joint. However, the broken ends of the ulna were resting against the nearby radius. If the fracture were allowed to heal in that position, the two bones would likely fuse together (synostosis) and the owl would never be able to use that wing correctly.

As soon as 24-963 was stable enough for general anesthesia, she was able to undergo surgery right here at NMWC to have her fracture pinned. We are very fortunate to have a full-time staff veterinarian as well as a team of highly skilled wildlife rehabilitators to assist during surgery! The pin in the owl's ulna - which you can see in the third picture here- will remain there until the bone has healed enough to be stable on its own.

In the meantime, every few days, our hospital team checks and cleans the surgical site and performs physical therapy on 24-963's wing to make sure she is maintaining full range of motion. All of that is done with the owl under sedation, since those procedures would otherwise be very stressful and painful for her. She receives daily medications to control her pain and prevent infection, and she's eating mice on her own like a champ!

cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/21425819

From Ken Grille

The beautiful and majestic Snowy Owl, 11/22/24 Eastern Massachusetts.

This amazing creature migrates to our area from far far away in the Arctic. I would see some in Eastern Long lsland where we used to live and saw a few the first winter (2022) we were here in Eastern Massachusetts. And then for two years (for various reasons) few if any migrated South.

The experts weren't hopeful that we would see Snowies this year as well. But about 7-10 days ago a few started to arrive in their usual spots and yesterday saw my first one in over two years. I am always stunned by their beauty and gracefulness.

These photos were taken from quite a distance so as not to disturb the Owl. I was on a road, saw him on a shoreline, and never got closer than that. Photos were shot with my long zoom lens (at 900mm) and are heavily cropped.

While will not be frequently searching to take multiple photos of the Snowy Owls (they need to rest and not be on high alert all the time), on the occasion that do this winter it will be quietly, from afar, and for short durations of time. Good advice for everyone to practice on all wildlife.

Lastly, please do not ask me for locations of any Owls or wildlife. I never give that out to protect these precious animals. Thank you.

From Hunter Welsh

My first encounter photographing a Screech Owl!

From Iowa Raptor Project

Tonight we banded our 21st Northern Saw-whet Owl of the season, one month to the day after we banded our first. Here it is held by IRP Raptor Research intern Aaron Petrie with volunteer Ben Conrads looking on.

Many people are surprised by the number of owls we're encountering with such limited effort that we've invested. We are finding the lowa River valley at the Macbride Nature Recreation Area to be quite productive. We're most interested this year in discovering how long their fall migration season lasts. Looks like we will be back out for more cold nights ahead!

From Jesse Hermanson

Great Horned Owl