Closed - OotY Round 10 - Screech (42) vs Tawny Fish (32)

This is our most polar opposite match so far. Like always though, these are some great owls, so it still might be quite the difficult choice. Let's look at our competition today!

There are over 2 dozen types of screech owl, but we're focusing on one of the primary screeches of North America, the Eastern Screech Owl.

The Eastern Screech lives in a multitude of forest habitats, often in close proximity to humans. Due to being nocturnal, small, and not that loud compared to many owls, they're often among us without our knowledge.

Despite being small owls, the Eastern Screech is heavier than most of the more tropical Screech varieties, though some are physically longer due to having longer tails.

These little cuties come in a variety of colors, shades of grey, red, or brown, with the red often seeming to be the crowd favorite.

Fairly powerful hunters for their size, they will take mostly insects, small birds, and rodents. Unfortunately for them though, being a small owl, they still need to avoid Great Horned Owls and other birds of prey that are not above snacking on a Screech!

Many love the Screech Owl's petite stature, whinnying call, egg/orb shape, and its tiny but distinct plumicorns. It's got a lot to offer to an owl lover in a small and non-intimidating looking package. As someone who has handled a few, do not underestimate them though! They are tough and ferocious beyond what one would think.

On the other side, we have a fan-requested Tawny Fish Owl. This is a large owl from South and Southeast Asia. It's favorite food is fish, but like many owls, it is an opportunist that will also eat crabs, frogs, and mammals.

Like the other fish owls, Tawny has large plumicorns, but unlike other species, they tend to hang low to the sides, giving them a bit of a bad hair day look that fish owl fans find charming.

They have a less defined facial disc than other owls, because hunting fish is more sight based, so maximized hearing isn't as big a deal for them. They differ from other fish owls by having partially feathered legs, while others have no feathers or full leg coverage. They are also lighter colored than the Brown Fish, yet darker than the Buffy Fish.

Though related to Eagle Owls by modern studies, they have longer legs and wings, relative to body size, and shorter tails. They also have grippier feet to help catch those slippery fish.

Their call is a deep whoo-hoo, but I also hear they have a cat like meow call, but I haven't heard that yet.

They don't wade in water, but dive down to snatch fish from the surface like an osprey or sea eagle.

While the Tawny Fish Owl angles for your vote, the tiny Screech is just sitting here looking pretty in its superb tree-like camo. Are you digging the large, shaggy one, or do you want a Screech Owl in the palm of your hand? Vote for your choice now!