Ice vs Fire!

We all know Snowy Owl! The face of O RLY, wizarding story franchises, and much more, the Snowy is known for both its beauty and quirkiness.

We get to enjoy Snowies in the winter when they leave the Arctic to come visit us in the lower latitudes. There is always a sensation as photos start to come in, and for good reason.

Not a true migratory bird, the Snowy has been difficult to track and count, as it is more nomadic, not regularly returning either north or south to the same place, just following its prey and those populations move around due to extreme cold.

Whether you prefer the snow white mature males or the intricately spotted females, they both share captivating yellow eyes, extra fluffy feet, and as they’re adapted to life where the sun doesn’t always set, they will hunt in daylight, giving us tons of great photo opportunities.

Are you a part of the Snowy craze? Or do you think the Snowy is played out? Show it your vote now.

As some of you may have guessed, the Indian Eagle Owl hails from… India! Once considered a subspecies of the z Eurasian Eagle Owl, enough variations have been found between the Indian owls and other subspecies that they’ve become their own thing. They are more brown and yellow and have different patterns of white spotting and then the EEO.

They live in light to moderately forested areas, but just love a good rocky spot if they can find one, leading to their other common name, the Rock Eagle Owl.

Their diet is largely rodent based, up to rabbits, most of the year, but they can start to go after more birds toward the winter season. They have been known to take birds as large as peafowl (peacocks and peahens).

Due to their large size, low hoot, and mysterious nature, they can be thought of as a bad omen and still face intentional human threats in some places.

Does this orange eyed wonder warm you up in a way the Snowy can’t? Upvote it now!

If you didn’t see the post last night, there was a correction to the Long Ear Owl photos in LEO vs Dusky.

I’m leaving that poll open for 6 more hours in case anyone wants to change their vote. I don’t think it should make an impact, but for honesty and transparency, I feel this is fair.

  • pseudo@jlai.lu
    1·
    1 day ago

    Oh non ! Missed this one. I could have swayed the vote for the indian eagle owl…

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
      9·
      2 days ago

      I like to believe they act like they want to ignore us as long as possible, but secretly they adore the extra attention.

  • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
    10·
    2 days ago

    LEO vs Dusky is another match I was dreading, as I’m such a supporter of both. LEO currently sits with a 7 point lead, but due to the photo error, I’m leaving this open, but I think that gap will remain. The mistake photo was fairly similar, so I don’t foresee many of you changing your opinions.

    Any thoughts on how I chose to handle the mix up?

    Or just any thoughts on how you see the games playing out so far?

    Have you learned anything about your own opinions when you faced some of these choices so far?

    Share anything you want!

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
      2·
      2 days ago

      As an interesting note, though the character of Hedwig is that of a female owl, I believe all (7?) owls that played her were male, as the mature males are the snowy almost totally white colored ones. Lady Snowies are covered in black spots.

      They all start off spotted, but the males lose some or all the spots as they age.

  • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
    3·
    2 days ago

    I closed LEO vs Dusky, and LEO secures the win!

    Over in here, Snowy is really giving the Indian Eagle Owl a pounding thus far. Not totally shocked by that, but I’m a big fan of all the owls of India, so I don’t want it to get obliterated 🤪