White Faced Scops
Superbowl
For owls that are superb.
Buff Fronted
Scops is clearly a champion, but Imma vote Buff because he looks like a vulcan owl would. Got those smooth smoky eyeshadow eyes, the groovy tan, you know when he files nearby everyone hears a bossa nova version of "Smooth Operator"
Just met a Saw Whet owl this weekend and this BFO looks quite a bit different, surprised they are closely related! I wish this wasn't the first matchup as I think the Buff would have a good chance against anyone else.
I was at a place with a few Saw Whets once, but they were hiding in the rafters and I only really saw their eyes. It took me like 3 visits to their enclosure to even see they were actually in there. Tiny little ones for sure.
I thought it'd be a bit more popular, but maybe it's too new. I really like its look. Still not a total annihilation, and it's got more votes here than in the qualifier, so it's picking up some more fans.
Gotta be the Scops for me, bro.
WFS is a strong contender, and I can see it going all the way to the top again. It's an owl anyone can find really great qualities in, and it's visually distinct from other owls without you needing to be a big bird nerd. True champion pedigree!