From Shaun Antle

Small enough to fit in your hand but fierce when it's time to hunt, the Saw-whet Owl is one of nature's little marvels. Found across North America, these tiny owls are silent predators, gliding through the forest at night to snag mice and other small prey with incredible precision.

Their name comes from their call, which sounds like a saw being sharpened-one of those magical sounds you might hear if you're lucky enough to spend a quiet evening in the woods. With their big, curious eyes and feathers that blend perfectly with the trees, they're perfectly designed for forest life. But here's the thing-they need those forests to survive, and that's where the trouble starts. Logging and development are shrinking the places these little owls call home.

Protecting those forests isn't just about the owls-it's about preserving the balance of nature they're a part of. Taking care of wild spaces means these amazing creatures can keep doing what they do best, and we get to keep experiencing the magic they bring to the world.

From Glenn Sayers

When you just can't bear to watch what's happening right now (Great Horned Owl San Jose del Cabo)

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!

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Buffy Fish Owl was a big hit last year. A big, loveable, horned owl with a fabulous anthropomorphized personality is a killer combination that got it to last year's Final 4. Buffy comes from tropical forests and wetlands in southeast Asia. They eat some typical owl food, but Wade into the water to snag fish, crabs, and frogs. Buffy has a number of differences from other owls: different feathers, different beak, doesn't make pellets, nests in a fern, and only ever lays one egg a year.

The Mottled Wood Owl is from the deciduous forests of India and Nepal. Not much data seems to be out there on this owl. We'll have to let this owl's unique looks speak for themselves.

Both owls are quite unique. Do you prefer the comedic looks and unusual anatomy of the Buffy, or are the wild looks of the enigmatic Mottled Wood Owl more your style? Vote below!

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From Cynthia Rand

This recent discovery of mine was well camouflaged, but its white patch caught my eye as I scanned tree holes in the area!

From Antonius Lo

Northern Saw Whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus ) Southern Ontario, Canada. 2024 Sony ILCE-1 n SEL 200-600 @ f/7.1 SS 1/320 8000. DXO raw processed.

The Barn Owl may be a pinnacle of owl evolution. They may be the peak predator of rodents by it's mass vs the amount of rodents it eats. They have a very high metabolism that must be filled by meat. What do they do with all that energy? Fly! If it's possible for an owl to exist anywhere, there will be some variety of Barn Owl there. These winged wonders can migrate up to 1000 km / 600 miles, taking them to near every land mass. Experiments with Barn Owls in the 70s finally lead to the understanding of most owls ability to use sound to find prey in total darkness with extreme accuracy.

The Boreal Owl (Tengmalm's Owl in Europe) is rarely seen by humans, staying far north in inaccessible taiga of North America and Eurasia. Its closest relatives are the diminutive Saw Whet and the Buff Fronted Owl. They have at least 8 types of vocalizations, making them hard to track. Despite being small, this owl eats more birds and mammals than many small owls do. They frequently look to have a surprised expression, making them very fun to see.

Does the sleek and svelte Barn Owl or the bashful Boreal get today's upvote?

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The Greater Sooty Owl is a resident of the wet tropical forest of Australia and New Guinea. There is also a Lesser Sooty sometimes grouped in, but it has a very limited range in North Queensland. They are the most massive of the Barn Owl family, though the Tasmanian Masked Owls are longer overall. This dark owl dotted with white speckles can let out a piercing 2 second shriek. Their primary diet are the mammals sharing the trees with them, gliders, possums, bandicoots, and bats.

For many of us, the Great Horned Owl will need no introduction. This is one of the largest owls of the Americas, and has a wider ranger than any owl but the Barn Owls. Its iconic hoot strikes fear into almost every animals in the forest - not even porcupines nor skunks or turkeys are safe from talons with more crushing power than an eagle, and even most dogs. They also have no problem going head to head with Bald Eagles over territory in epic back and forth battles. They may also be the longest lived owl, living up to 30 years in the wild and 50 in captivity.

Can you decide between these two great "Great" owls? Are you sucked down to the darkness with the goth Sooty, or will GHO crush its competition? Upvote your favorite now!

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From Mike Lentz

The look you get from a female Northern Saw Whet Owl when she see's your taking her picture. : )

My posse has been seeing these charming little owls and expect for this winter to be pretty epic with so many different species.

Their plumage is mottled and provides excellent camouflage! They primarily are found in more dense forests, particularly in Conifers and mixed woodlands. They prefer areas with a thick understory for cover.

From Dave Waddell

I noticed an adult male Snowy Owl perched on a fence post when a juvenile Snowy Owl landed at the base of the post. The juvenile knew that he was invading the adult male's personal space but was pushing his luck... consequently he lost his nerve and flew off to be pursued by the adult male. These were definitely Angry Birds, but wise for there was no lasting damage done to either bird."

The Short Eared Owl doesn't always show its little ears, but they are a treat when they do pop up! This owl has no issue soaring for long distances, which is what has lead to this owl being almost everywhere. They haven't made it to Australia yet, though there are special species of Shorties in places like the Caribbean, the Galopagos, and Hawaii. If we ever get owls in Antarctica, it will likely either be a Shortie or a Barn Owl. They nest in a shallow depression, hidden in the tall grass. It will fake a wing injury to lead predators away from the nest. They can often be found together, in the wide open spaces they prefer. Harriers also hunt the same food in the same places, so dramatic ariel combat occurs frequently.

The Oriental Bay Owl is one of the most unique looking owls. Part of the Barn Owl family, this little owl has a heart shaped face and large dark eyes, giving it an otherworldly appearance. They are found in parts of India, through Southeast Asia, Malaysia, and the Philippines in woodlands, swamps, and pkantations. They have many different vocalizations, including hoots, screams, and whistles.

Does the little devil that loves posing for the camera win your vote? Has the Bay Owl captured your imagination? Upvote your favorite below!

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The Philippine Scops fell short of taking down the Screech Owl, but we have another Scops who wants to be tops today. It's a tall order, going up against one very popular owl!

The Burrowing Owl is a perennial favorite. Its gregarious nature, the quirky behavior, it's an owl almost everyone enjoys. Today, they are found in dry, grassy, open areas from the very south of western Canada down throughout South America. They are one of the few species actually benefitting from South America deforestation, as it makes new areas for them to expand into. It is equally happy hunting in the air or running on the ground. One great trick they've developed is since rattlesnakes also live in similar holes, if they hear a disturbance at their doorway, they will emulate the rattler's sound to try and make their guest think they've stumbled into a snake pit!

Though one of the largest of the Scops, the Indian Scops is still a bit smaller than the Burrow Owl. It comes in both a lovely pale beige color or a light grey morph, both with orange to brown eyes. It stays cool and hidden in foliage during the day, and at night it makes a frog like call. Its favorite foods are beetles and grasshoppers, but it will take a rodent, lizard, or bird without complaining.

Does the playful Burrow Owl do it for you, or does the pointy little desert dweller have that edge you crave? Upvote your favorite now!

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