Wow, those semi-final matches were intense! There was so much back and forth throught the day.
Snowy and Eagle had a number of changes in position during early voting until Eagle Owl got the advantage and stayed ahead for the final few hours.
Saw Whet and our returning champ, White Faced Scops, battled it out for the whole 24 hours! I couldn't say how many times each was on top. The Scops had a fairly easy run of things until the little scapper finally made him work for it if it wanted to stay on top. Finally, with just a handful of last votes, Saw Whet held the lead until time ran out. The champ was defeated!
Now is the moment we've all waited for, the final showdown of the tournament! One owl large, the other small, but today they are here as equals. Only one of them will be our Owl if the Year though!
Both of these owls have earned their places. Saw Whet became a fan favorite, but had some very close matches, especially considering it had some rather tough opponents at every stage. A last win over the Great Horned Owl cemented this little bird as a true fighter and gave it what it needed to finally stop the Scops.
The Eurasian Eagle Owl was barely slowed down by the even larger Blakiston's Fish Owl, the former fan favorite Flammulated Owl, and though the Morepork ran a very strong campaign, it wasn't enough to outshine this massive and powerful owl.
You've faced many hard choices up until now, but this may be the hardest yet. It's time to choose your new champion. On one hand, the mighty mini from the Canadian forests that punches above its weight and has beat all odds. On the other, an owl of undeniable strength and regalness, a true apex hunter. The time is here to decide: who is your new Owl of the Year?
Upvote your final choice now!
#superbowl #owloftheyear2024
Ahh I've missed so many rounds this week, so busy & wiped from work! I missed my Snowy vs Barn owl round, which would have been an impossible choice, and now they're both out!
So Saw Whet vs Eurasian Eagle in the grand final, so different yet both pretty awesome looking birds! Do I go with the Snowy-beater as a sign of respect, or against in spite?!!
Maybe a more fairer approach is needed so some research: "The arrival of a new Eagle Owl in the vicinity causes panic amongst other birds of prey and a general re-arrangement of territories usually follows as its new neighbours try to give it a wide berth." Now that's one mean BoP!
"They prey mainly on mammals, chiefly rabbit and hare, but have been known to take roe deer and foxes which they kill by crushing their skulls with their huge, powerful feet." Oof, even I'd keep well clear of such a beast!!
Top points for being the king of the jungle (well forest really!) https://theowlstrust.org/owl-facts/eurasian-eagle-owl-facts/
So Saw Whet, what've you got?
"Saw-whet Owls may be preyed upon by larger species of owls and hawks. Starlings and squirrels compete with them for nesting cavities and also plunder nests and kill owlets." For such a teeny owl it's inevitable to get a lot of greif but you've got to be a tough little cookie to not get completely pushed around! Bonus points for taking on the big bad world!
"A true night owl....When prey is plentiful, they will kill more than they can eat at once, caching the excess in a safe place." A few extra points for intelligent resource use and tactical survival, I think!
https://abcbirds.org/bird/northern-saw-whet-owl/
So does that help me choose....well not much, but good to learn a little more about these big-eyed feathery creatures!
I think I'm won over by EEOs conquering of snowy, no mean feat, and it's all round bossing of its territory! I may well have doubts after my vote is cast, but the choice is now made! Go EEO!!
It pleases me to no end to see someone vet the candidates so well!
Saw Whet is a badass bird for its size, but the might of the Eagle Owls is undeniable.
You make such an effort in doing this I'm more than happy to support you and join in the discussions. Being the final a little extra effort was made! :)
Saw Whet's in the lead as I type, but not by much.
Some more votes for EEO folks, let's make it the biggest AND the best!!