this post was submitted on 05 Dec 2024
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Superbowl

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For owls that are superb.

US Wild Animal Rescue Database: Animal Help Now

International Wildlife Rescues: RescueShelter.com

Australia Rescue Help: WIRES

Germany-Austria-Switzerland-Italy Wild Bird Rescue: wildvogelhilfe.org

If you find an injured owl:

Note your exact location so the owl can be released back where it came from. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitation specialist to get correct advice and immediate assistance.

Minimize stress for the owl. If you can catch it, toss a towel or sweater over it and get it in a cardboard box or pet carrier. It should have room to be comfortable but not so much it can panic and injure itself. If you can’t catch it, keep people and animals away until help can come.

Do not give food or water! If you feed them the wrong thing or give them water improperly, you can accidentally kill them. It can also cause problems if they require anesthesia once help arrives, complicating procedures and costing valuable time.

If it is a baby owl, and it looks safe and uninjured, leave it be. Time on the ground is part of their growing up. They can fly to some extent and climb trees. If animals or people are nearby, put it up on a branch so it’s safe. If it’s injured, follow the above advice.

For more detailed help, see the OwlPages Rescue page.

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WINNER: WFS 53-28 - Owl of the Year Round 1 - White Faced Scops vs Buff Fronted (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by anon6789 to c/superbowl
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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

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[–] anon6789 53 points 2 months ago

White Faced Scops

[–] anon6789 29 points 2 months ago

Buff Fronted

[–] homesweethomeMrL 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Scops is clearly a champion, but Imma vote Buff because he looks like a vulcan owl would. Got those smooth smoky eyeshadow eyes, the groovy tan, you know when he files nearby everyone hears a bossa nova version of "Smooth Operator"

[–] anon6789 3 points 2 months ago

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Just met a Saw Whet owl this weekend and this BFO looks quite a bit different, surprised they are closely related! I wish this wasn't the first matchup as I think the Buff would have a good chance against anyone else.

[–] anon6789 1 points 2 months ago

I was at a place with a few Saw Whets once, but they were hiding in the rafters and I only really saw their eyes. It took me like 3 visits to their enclosure to even see they were actually in there. Tiny little ones for sure.

I thought it'd be a bit more popular, but maybe it's too new. I really like its look. Still not a total annihilation, and it's got more votes here than in the qualifier, so it's picking up some more fans.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Gotta be the Scops for me, bro.

[–] anon6789 1 points 2 months ago

WFS is a strong contender, and I can see it going all the way to the top again. It's an owl anyone can find really great qualities in, and it's visually distinct from other owls without you needing to be a big bird nerd. True champion pedigree!