First up, we have top seeded Barn Owl. This owl has the widest distribution of any land bird, so wherever you may be, there probably is one of these guys nearby.
Going up against them is Cuba's native owl, only member of the genus Margarobyas, is the Bare Legged Owl. Will those fancy legs be enough to win over an owl probably all of you are familiar with?
If paired against a less famous (and derpy looking) owl, this BLowl would likely have had my vote for how unproportionally large and pretty it's eyes are. Alas.
Bare Legged Owl
Those massive eyes!
If paired against a less famous (and derpy looking) owl, this BLowl would likely have had my vote for how unproportionally large and pretty it's eyes are. Alas.
There's always next year, and all the posts in between.
I can definitely highlight the ones that put up a good fight. They're all superb after all!