this post was submitted on 15 Dec 2025
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Superbowl

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This is the last match to determine our final contender for the semi-finals. Over in the other ring, the big fellas are slugging it out. But now it's time for the little guys to do their high flying luchador battle royale over here.

Both owls in this match are some of the smallest and sweetest ones North America has to offer. Saw Whet is our returning champion and is looking to hold onto that title for another year. Even smaller than the Screech, Saw Whet is round but sleek, a mini but mighty mouse murderer, has a great range of expressions from shocked and startled to don't you dare, and has a namesake call that rivals the cuteness of the Screeches horse whinny.

Screech Owl is finally close to getting its due respect in these games, and wants to seal the deal by taking down the biggest little guy in the yard. For many of us, the Screech was the first to show us just how cute an owl can be. Everyone loves seeing one, everyone loves hearing one. They're round and squishy, big beautiful yellow eyes, sing quietly and gently, pert and perfect plumicorns, and look just as cute hanging on a branch or popping their head out of a woodpecker hole that looks too small for them to fit through.

These are both such cute owls with such dedicated followings. I'm sure everyone here loves both so much. But we're at the point we've got to send one ahead, and tell the other better luck next year. Which tiny titan gets your upvote?

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[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 48 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)
[–] Luvs2Spuj@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I would love to see Harry in the banner, but this is going to be a tough match.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

I could definitely work Harry in there should Screech win!

Dear Flaco is in the Eagle Owl match now and was last year as well. I actually think another passed ambassador Eagle Owl is in today's poll too.

[–] Luvs2Spuj@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

So much pattern and expression variety, it has to be Screech.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 46 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (4 children)
[–] onigiri@sh.itjust.works 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

That first pic with the drop of blood on its beak! In case you forgot that this cute little puffball was also a murderer. 🩸❤️

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago

I thought it highlighted the duality nicely. It may look sweet and innocent, but it is no less a raptor than the others.

[–] Sxan@piefed.zip 5 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Screech is a handsome devil, but Saw Whet has þose bedroom eyes. Little murder-puffs!

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

This is looking like another close one!

[–] pseudo@jlai.lu 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

The first picture with the beautiful eyes and the subtle drops of blood on its mouth is gorgeous.

I did vote for screech, of course.

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

I'm going to have no way to decide a winner if this keeps up!

[–] pseudo@jlai.lu 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Would you mind tell Ms.Anon for me that Screech owl is a great owl : it changes color and has the nickname of "the feathered feral cat". It also has blu blood as it is a "small duc" as we say in french but it is simple and humble nevertheless ?

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

I will pass that along 😁

[–] Sergio@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

hey FWIW it looks like the Saw Whet comment for voting didn't federate to piefed.social.... https://piefed.social/c/superbowl/p/1571316/open-ooty-round-28-saw-whet-vs-screech#post_replies

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

Weird. I fixed it with more periods again. I wonder what is causing that. It only shows 7 of 17 comments as well on piefed too.

[–] Sergio@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Some kind of federation problem? I think editing it in any way sends another "federate me" message but idk?

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

I have no clue, I'm just glad I can fix it with a few dots. That was my idea of giving it a sharp whack on the side of the case and thankfully it did the trick. 😜

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I love an owl in winter snow
Or summer on the beachy
But autumn leaves perfectly go
With my man, the red morph screechie

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago

We have our very own Shakespeare in here!

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

Likely not much of a surprise in Snowy vs BnW but I think BnW absolutely proved itself this year. It still did pretty good against such an iconic opponent.

Snowy is the second of our final 4 and will face the winner of this pairing. Either owl Snowy will face should be strong competition. I don't see an inherent advantage against either. I'd say both are equally as charming. Possible advantage depending how much you guys like Screech today, especially the popular red morph. Saw Whet variations are more subtle in comparison, yet equally as good. But we'll see!