There are 26 types of Pygmy Owl,and last year we went with the Northern. This year, let's try the Ferruginous (means rust colored) Pygmy Owl! This is the most widely dispersed of the Pygmies, from the edges of the US Southwest to the north of Argentina. Like the Northern, they have false eyes in the backs of their head. Despite being very small, they have disproportionately large feet to help tackle things up to twice their size including lizards and birds. They come in red and grey morphs.
The Crested Owl is a very distinct owl of Central and upper South America. It is a medium sized owl,known for its long white plumicorns. They also have facial stripes that join the plumes to make them look even longer than they already are. They favor old growth tropical and subtropical forests and are usually found near water. This owl is mainly an insect eater. It comes is a light and dark morph.
These two owls today both fell to the Screech Owl last year, but Screech is far off on the other side of the bracket now. Can one of these two make it to the finals to face it? You tell me!
#superbowl #owloftheyear2024
Boreal did good for a newcomer, especially against an owl like the Barn. Being fairly rare as well, it's good to get some positive attention and to get new fans. I like showing you guys these far off, exotic owls. I think it's good to shine a spotlight on the wildlife that lives in these remote areas across the world people want to protect. It's hard to care about a place you've never seen, but get to know the life there and how beautiful and fragile it is, and I hope you start to feel a bond to these places and want to save them.