this post was submitted on 03 Dec 2025
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If you find an injured owl:

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Minimize stress for the owl. If you can catch it, toss a towel or sweater over it and get it in a cardboard box or pet carrier. It should have room to be comfortable but not so much it can panic and injure itself. If you can’t catch it, keep people and animals away until help can come.

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The owl with a surprised look and exclamation point ears, the Long Eared Owl, is a medium lovely colored owl that hunts outside the forest, preferring open ground. It has a broad range across more moderate climates in North America and Eurasia. Though related to the Short Eared Owl, they share an unusual amount of genetic distance from them, despite being the same genus.

Long Ears are more social than most owls and will hang out in groups, they can adapt to more urban environments, and is one of just a handful of truly migratory owl species.

In the Owl of the Year, LEO can come off as too moderate, a jack of all trades, master of none. It isn't large or powerful. It isn't the most fabulously fletched. There's no trick or gimmick. But it has a great combination of things we love in a superb owl: fabulous plumicorns, orange eyes, an intricate but effectively camo feather pattern, strong facial features, and a face full of whimsy. Take the time to consider the Long Ear as a whole, and see if it can get your support today!

Dusky Eagle has its share of fans. They are tall, dark, handsome owls from South and Southeast Asia. Of genus Ketupa, they are related to the fish owls, though these don't subscribe to the seafood diet they do.

Not much study seems to have been done on Duskies, so there's not much more I can say. With dark plumage, orange eyes, and tall stature, they are one of a kind and very distinct. If dark and secretive is for you, the Dusky makes a great choice of owl!

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[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 45 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (3 children)

Long Eared

Old Picture #2

So it was pointed out I may have misidentified this, and after review, I believe it is not a Long Ear, but its cousin the Short Ear.

Pics 1 and 3 are American LEOs, with bolder colors. New pic 2 is a European LEO, that have colors a bit more washed out than the American ones.

This is what happens when one works on things while falling asleep!

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Well, this is the first of several can’t-wins since I’m big on these LEOs, but who can resist the mystery of Dusky fish cousin?

Hmmmmm.

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

This year's game has so many tough first round decisions! I don't envy your responsibility.

[–] lemming@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Beautiful. But isn't the second image a short eared owl?

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Oh, pellets! I think you are correct. After some more searching, I think this was a stolen image and labeled improperly.

I left the old one up under spoiler tags and a brief explanation of my mistake. The European ones are paler than the US ones, and as I was up too late prepping the posts, it looked close enough at the time I didn't catch it.

Though it is embarrassing, I do appreciate you pointing it out! I never want to give you guys wrong info, and I'm not above admitting when I'm wrong. I'm just a hobbyist at this, after all.

[–] lemming@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Thank you, you're the best. It's the eyes for me, the dark pattern around the short-eared's eyes is very distinctive. Though I admit the lack of plumicorns also made me suspicious, I don't remember seeing an image of long-eared with plumicorns down before. The new image is great!

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

The more I looked at it, the more differences I could find. I am much more accustomed to American ones, I just saw the pale colors and went with that other pic to cover the Europeans so they get the LEO they're used to and called it a night.

They do look like a much different owl when the plumicorns are down since they're so characteristic.

I'm glad you enjoy the new photo and got to see it looking a bit differently. I always try to show you all stuff you havent seen a million times.

[–] anthropomorphized@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

I think I'm All-In on the weirdos this year. Probably past years too, but I'm doing it on purpose this year. That third picture is amazing, what a transformation little free spirit, be whatever you want to be. "Majesty and drama" sounds like a 2026 vibe

But then there's the Bubo and fish owls!? I don't really know what to do.

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

Even with a specific goal like that, it is going to get hard at some point! I keep refining my matchmaking to make sure of it. We wouldn't want things to get boring 😊

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 41 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)
[–] MrPoopyButthole@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Just look at that plumage!

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

It looks like the type of character your parents warned you to start clear of... And that makes it irresistible!

[–] DearMoogle@lemmy.today 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I must have a thing for Resting Bitch Face bc it’s Dusky Eagle all the way!😍

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

They make me think of a wise guy or a rebel without a cause type. The too-cool-for-you attitude. Perfect for an owl!

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 12 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Just a reminder that downvotes do not count!

I woke up excited to see Barn Owl on top, only to see there were 3 downvotes for Mottled Wood Owl I had to disqualify.

It was a very close race, so a fair win for MWO. I'm just sad to see my beautiful white owl knocked out in the opener. I'm glad to see you all taking interest in a new owl though.

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Nooooooooooo! Speccy and Barnie in round 1?!

I feel like a Saints fan!

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

Yup, and then GHO vs Sooty and Long Ear vs Dusky... I lose either way 😭

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

This one is no-contest for me (LEOs for life!), though the dusky is pretty darn cute.

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

Both got big tufts and orange eyes. That's all I need to be happy so I love both.