Closed - OotY Round 9 - Eurasian Eagle (43) vs Ural (30)

Eurasian Eagle Owl is one of the largest owls in the world. This owl covers much of Europe and Asia, and there are a multitude of subspecies across that vast area. They may vary by color, but all are massive, strong, have beautiful orange eyes, and distinct plumicorns.

The Eagle Owl lives in all types of environments, from mountains to grasslands, and sometimes even city parks. It prefers to nest in rocky areas and cliff sides.

The prey of the Eagle Owl is too extensive to list here. It will take things from tiny pika, voles, and songbirds, to hedgehogs, hares, and nutria, and there are even reports of them taking foxes and roe deer!

Male Eagle Owls will claim and defend territory by perching atop the highest point, and letting out their deep "uhuuu" to call in a girlfriend or to drive away other males.

Does this mighty hunter have what it takes to capture your vote today?

Another Eurasian owl with a broad range (though not quite as extensive as the Eagle Owl) extending from Scandanavia to Japan, is the Ural Owl. Still a large owl, this one sticks mainly to smaller mammalian prey like rodents and voles.

They are tree nesters, and are known for being very territorial. They are less nomadic that other colder climate species, so perhaps they know another owl is always ready to move in should they let their guard down.

While they have been lost to some parts of central Europe, some countries have been running very successful programs to reintroduce them to their former homes.

The Ural Owl is very rounded and has a long tail. While usually a pale grey main color, like many owls with such a large range, there can be a wide range of colorations. As stated, while not very massive, they are in the top ten largest owls by length thanks to that tail.

Though still fierce, the Ural has a potentially more cuddly appearance than the Eagle Owl. Does this fluffy fighter get your vote today?