Our March Species Madness tournament moves on to another Battle of the Birds, as the Great Horned Owl (Bubo Virginianus) faces off against the Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula).
The great horned owl faced off against a spirited round one challenger in the form of the turkey vulture, but ultimately the owl came away victorious. Whether people favoured the owl’s reputation for intelligence, keen eyesight and hearing, or if the turkey vulture was hampered by its grisly (but ecologically very necessary) diet, is not for us to say. The great horned owl now finds itself one match away from the quarterfinals and a chance at the Final Four. To learn more about this creature, check out this video from the YouTuber Animal Fact Files.
But planting itself in the way of the great horned owl is the colourful Baltimore oriole, listed by the Audubon society as “one of the most brilliantly colored songbirds in the east”. No relying on camouflage for this species. The oriole has a keen eye and quick reflexes to escape predators. They can catch insects in midair, but also feed on nectar and may visit sugar-water feeders set out in backyards. And did we mention that they sing? Visit this page by the Audubon society for some birdsong clips.
So, who soars and who falters? Will the great horned owl’s sharp talons claw its way to victory, or will the beautiful Baltimore oriole flutter through? It ain’t over until the oriole sings, and it all depends on how you vote, so vote now: