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!
#superbowl #owloftheyear2024
Burrowing Owl
Indian Scops Owl
Very good showing by Specky. Both the Spectacled and Great Grey are very distinct, but the big wooly Grey and its beady eyes wasn’t what you guys were looking for, though it still had a respectable performance.
I’m curious how the Scops will do here today, after the Philippines Scops was able to do pretty well. Taking down Burrow Owl is going to be a tall order for any owl, but I really love the colors of the Indian subcontinent owls, and I think the angular features are really sharp, pardon the pun.
Grey’s loss was a surprise to me! I had them going far in my bracket, they were my big owl going to finals. I think the same thing happened last year and was hoping the unique features would go further
I come across some good GG pics, but they seem to do consistently worse than just about any other owl I post. I only share them if there’s something particularly unique about them. My girlfriend doesn’t like them, and she says it’s the proportions. I think of them as a wise old hermit of the forest.
It’s their loss. GG is cool… Though Speck is also. If I come across a good Grey I’ll toss it up in the daily posts!
