WINNER BY DECISION: FLAMMULATED OWL 55-55 (I saw that one downvote!) For Flammy to hold out for 24 hours against GHO I feel is the greater challenge, and the last 4 votes had 3 go to Flammy.

We’ve finally made it to the end of the first round, and we’ve got 2 great matches today!

Flammulated Owl is here as the only member of the Psiloscops genus. It is a migratory owl that lives from British Columbia to New Mexico and migrates to southern Mexico to Guatemala for the winters. It had longer wings for its size than most owls. Overall size wise, it is larger than the Elf Owl, and about the size of the Pygmy Owl. While it resembles a Screech Owl in appearance, it is only about a quarter of the mass of the Screech and has shorter ear tufts. Unlike most owls, these can be found living in groups. They prefer more open pine forests where they hunt for nocturnal flying insects.

The Great Horned Owl is an iconic bird that checks ask the boxes for a legendary animal. It’s big. It has a strong and powerful voice. It can be stronger than a bald eagle. It can take out skunks, porcupines, and turkey with ease. It is an apex predator of near all of the Americas. The Barn Owl and Short Eared Owl can fly further, which is the only thing keeping GHO from being the most widespread American owl, as the GHO can’t make it off the mainland. This owl is a fan favorite to go all the way in this tournament.

Can the little Flammulated Owl slow down the Tiger of the Sky? Upvote your favorite below!

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
      6·
      11 months ago

      I think you’re right. I admit to being unenthused putting up this post because I thought it would be a sweep for GHO, but you guys are proving me wrong!

      I love Flammy, but at the same time I won’t know how to feel if GHO loses round 1 to a relative unknown.

      • Blubton@feddit.nl
        4·
        11 months ago

        I wasn’t expecting this either! But we have already seen some surprises this tournament, with the early elimination of the Eurasian Eagle Owl (that one still hurts me) for example. Maybe people are more likely to vote for the underdog in this tournament?

        • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
          4·
          11 months ago

          That one, and Morepork beating Barred Owl were huge wins out of nowhere. My only complaint is you guys not voting out all these little round brown owls! I don’t dislike them of course, but you seen one, you’ve seen them all to me.

          Saw Whet vs White Faced Scops is going to be the hottest race of round 2 I think. I won’t say hoo I’m rooting for, but that one would sting a bit if they lose.