this post was submitted on 07 Dec 2023
138 points (100.0% liked)

Superbowl

3169 readers
121 users here now

For owls that are superb.

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
dragonfly@lemmy.world
Smokeless7048@lemmy.world
138
Owl of the Year Match 12 - Saw Whet Owl vs Ural Owl (lemmy.world)
submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by anon6789@lemmy.world to c/superbowl@lemmy.world
31 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

WINNER: SAW WHET OWL 56-27

Saw Whet Owls are one of the smallest of the North American owls. Their names comes from their vocalization, which is says to sound like sharpening a saw blade. They come mainly from deep coniferous forests, far away from people. We usually only encounter them during their annual migration, when they are banded and studied. This is a very adorable little owl, and it comes in many colors and patterns.

The Ural Owl is quite the opposite to the Saw Whet. This large owl comes from northern Europe and Russia. Unlike the large excited eyes of the Saw Whet, the Ural Owl usually looks half asleep. While Ural Owls also typically don't live near people, they do not appear as shy as the Saw Whet, and are fairly easy to approach.

Which is these birds is your favorite today? This is quite the diverse pairing, so upvote your choice below!

all 32 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 59 points 10 months ago (3 children)

Saw Whet Owl

[–] rustyfish@lemmy.world 12 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Owls looking like they underestimated a fart will always be superior to anything else.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 7 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Lol you guys have been bringing some colorful commentary. I live seeing this place more conversational like this. It shows we're all having lots of fun.

[–] sxan@midwest.social 4 points 10 months ago (1 children)

So. Cute!

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

They really are, and I love how they're like snowflakes in that they're tiny and it feels no 2 lol unlike, unlike with a lot of owls.

[–] sxan@midwest.social 4 points 10 months ago (1 children)

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

Lol perfect for this!

[–] espentan@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Impossible not to love this little fella, he gets my vote.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

I agree! They are so little, yet fluffy. I liked in the one owl banding video I posted before they were transporting them to the work area in old tomato paste cans.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 28 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Ural Owl

[–] Nouveau_Burnswick@lemmy.world 11 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (2 children)

Me watching my kid do something stupid, while not having the energy to stop it.

[–] TheDoozer@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago

"...I'm so tired."

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

As long as they make it to the end of the day in one piece, that's all you can ask some days I bet! 😅

[–] Wodge@lemmy.world 8 points 10 months ago (4 children)

Sleepy vs Alert AF.

I'm voting for the Saw Whet.

[–] Nouveau_Burnswick@lemmy.world 8 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I was a Saw Whet.

But I have kids now, so I'm an Ural.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

The Dad/Mom ~~Bod~~ Face Owl!

I think Ural looks like Bill Murray.

[–] Nouveau_Burnswick@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Less the bod, and more the face of "I'm always tired / what did they do now"

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

I get that face after about 15 minutes with kids! More power to you for doing it full time!

[–] Transcendant@lemmy.world 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Speed vs Weed

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I wasn't gonna say it, but I was thinking it!

[–] Transcendant@lemmy.world 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Don't worry, I'll always be around to lower the tone of discourse 😂

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago

I appreciate the effort 😆

[–] casmael@lemm.ee 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

It looks like a plushie :3

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

I want to carry one in my shirt pocket.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I thought with their polar opposite moods, it was going to make a really easy choice for a lot of you today. One of them is instantly going to speak to all your personality types.

[–] proudblond@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Honestly this is the hardest one for me so far! I’m not sure why. Just love the look of both of them.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

That's the important part. I'm out to get all you to love each and every owl out there!

[–] Sendpicsofsandwiches@sh.itjust.works 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I love the wise old owl look of the ural, but the saw whet's "HI!" expression gets me every time

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

Saw Whets are so quirky and aloof looking. They may but be everyone's favorite owl, but I've can't help but think they are adorable in every way. I am a sucker for they're pouty face like they could possibly look intimidating.

[–] rustyredox@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Are there hypothesis about the evolutionary pressures in the divergence of Iris colors between owl species? Does it have to do with social or mating displays, or is it more about the climate and nocturnal vs diurnal vs crepuscular hunting patterns?

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

Owl have very interesting eyes for many reasons.

It seems to be the part of the day they're active, as you suspected. Here's a primer I've posted before that gives the run down. I don't think it's 100% reliable, as Great Horned Owls have yellow eyes but aren't known as diurnal owls.

Some species do seem to have greater eye color variation than others and some seem more reflective, giving that red eye camera effect in photos.

They can also control their irises voluntarily, as seen in this post.