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!
Saw Whet Owl
Owls looking like they underestimated a fart will always be superior to anything else.
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.
So. Cute!
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.
Lol perfect for this!
Impossible not to love this little fella, he gets my vote.
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.
Ural Owl
Me watching my kid do something stupid, while not having the energy to stop it.
“…I’m so tired.”
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! 😅
It has like the epicanthic fold.
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Sleepy vs Alert AF.
I’m voting for the Saw Whet.
I was a Saw Whet.
But I have kids now, so I’m an Ural.
The Dad/Mom
BodFace Owl!I think Ural looks like Bill Murray.
Less the bod, and more the face of “I’m always tired / what did they do now”
I get that face after about 15 minutes with kids! More power to you for doing it full time!
Speed vs Weed
I wasn’t gonna say it, but I was thinking it!
Don’t worry, I’ll always be around to lower the tone of discourse 😂
I appreciate the effort 😆
It looks like a plushie :3
I want to carry one in my shirt pocket.
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.
Honestly this is the hardest one for me so far! I’m not sure why. Just love the look of both of them.
That’s the important part. I’m out to get all you to love each and every owl out there!
I love the wise old owl look of the ural, but the saw whet’s “HI!” expression gets me every time
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.
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?
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.
