WINNER: GREAT GREY OWL 38-23
The Great Grey is the largest owl in the world by overall length. It is the only Strix owls found in both halves if the Northern Hemisphere, it has the largest facial disc of any raptor, and is nicknamed The Phantom of the North. They can find and catch prey under 2 ft / 84 cm of snow, listing it with their superb hearing, and using its large size to crash through the snow.
Found from Northern California to British Columbia, the Northern Spotted Owl is famous and infamous on both sides of environmentalist campaigns for over 30 years. It has been targeted by the logging industry, and is currently threatened by the expanding territory of the more aggressive and adaptable Barred Owl. The Spotted Owl flies with an unusual rapid burst of wing flaps, followed by long glides.
Which owl will prevail today? Upvote your favorite below!
The well defined facial disc of the GG and the Barn Owls had put me off for a long time too. Once I saw the Oriental Bay Owl and had it steal my heart, I love them all now. ๐