This match pits the birds against the bees! The Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) emerges victorious after beating the Turkey Vulture and the Baltimore Oriole and now faces off against the Common Eastern Bumble Bee, which freshly defeated the Pearl Crescent and the Painted Lady. The Great Horned Owl is no butterfly, however, that’s for sure. Does the busy bumble bee have what it takes to head into the final four? Or will the owl continue to dominate?
The great horned owl is another charismatic creature, as seen in our recent Conversation for Conservation where Wild Ontario brought some beautiful birds to show at one of our recent events (check out the video here). The creature’s many superpowers never fail to impress, whether it’s the owl’s keen eyesight or hearing, how it swoops down on its prey, it has been called a “tiger of the sky“. There’s also an element of mystery, here: the great horned owl doesn’t have horns, and those tufts of feathers atop its head which give it its name have nothing to do with its ears. Scientists aren’t sure why the owl has them, though there are theories, including camouflage, or as a way for owls to recognize each other in the wild.
However its opponent, the Common Eastern Bumblebee cannot be counted out, and not just because of its stinger. Without the bumblebee and other pollinators, the forests and grasslands we depend so much on wouldn’t exist. They may bumble along from flower to flower, giving them a reputation of being a little silly or drunk (but don’t forget about that stinger), but they get the job done.
Both species arguably deserve to be in the final four, but in this tournament, there can be only one. It’s time to cast your ballot to determine who goes forward, and who returns home to the lands at rare.