New Zealand’s Ruru, or the Morepork if you prefer, has really caused a stir in its first go-round. In the largest win of this year’s games, it more than doubled the score of its competition, the Spotted Eagle Owl, and also earned the highest score of any owl thus far! This quirky little wide-eyed hawk owl not only captured the spirit of our resident Discworld fans (the twin cities of Ankh-Morepork are central to many stories), but also picked up many new fans with its bold and expressive looks. If anyone looks like they could shake up this tournament from going to the same final 4 contestants this year, it is Ruru!

Opposite the Morepork, we have the loveable giant from Southeast Asia, the beautiful but also slightly silly looking Buffy Fish Owl. Buffy surprised many owl lovers in the first Owl of the Year, and has been coming back ever since. The fish owl’s softer facial disc helps make it look a little less serious and intense, and the floppy plumicorns add a charming touch to its overall look.

New Zealand only has one owl of its own, and it’s a darn fine example of one. Buffy is the last of 3 fish owls left, and could be the one to squeak through with a win once again. Who is going to be the winner today? Upvote your choice now!

  • Lumun@lemmy.zipEnglish
    6·
    6 days ago

    BFO! BFO! BFO!

    Fish owls are going all the way this year, I can feel it

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
      7·
      6 days ago

      I think they’ve both been in all 3 years and have done well. Either should be in equal footing with Eagle Owl next match, and I’d love for one of these 2 to make it at least to the semi-finals.

  • underreacting@literature.cafe
    3·
    6 days ago

    I love the Ruru-Morepork poses going from absolute cutie, to actual maniac, to “I’m batman”.

    …but the dramatic head tufts and cape of the Buffy got my family’s vote by a hairs width.

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
      2·
      5 days ago

      That pretty much sums up my exact feelings on this match as well!

      Great job to both owls, and congrats on a great win to Buffy!

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
      6·
      6 days ago

      This is another one I’m going to be a bit sad either way. I’ve championed Buffy so much these past 3 years, but I got to hold Ruru’s cousin, an Australian Boobook this year, so that increased my fondness for the hawk owls, and I’ve been going through the Discworld series this fall, so everyday I read or hear “Morepork” a dozen times.

  • pseudo@jlai.lu
    2·
    6 days ago

    I vote for both for now. But I’m not sure if I don’t want to be more supportive of big hiboux …

    • anon6789@lemmy.worldOP
      2·
      6 days ago

      It’s such a pretty chouette though! It has the eyeliner of the Short Eared hibou, which is barely hibou, so the lines are sometimes very thin separating the two.