Closed - OotY Round 29 - White Faced (39) vs Buffy Fish (52) (lemmy.world)

submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by anon6789@lemmy.world to c/superbowl@lemmy.world

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Wow, yesterday's games were the most intense ever in OotY history! Both matches were neck and neck all day. I had no idea what to prepare for, so this is going to be a little short.

Congrats to this year's final 4 owls: White Faced, Buffy, Screech, and Snowy.

I'm going to do the first semi-final today and the other tomorrow.

You know the competition well at this point. White Face is former OotY from 2023. Buffy has been a strong opponent in all 3 seasons, and has now made it to the last stop before the final match. Both have very fun and loveable looks, so it may still be a hard choice, but it's what we're here for.

So take your time, think it over, and upvote your first finalist now!

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[-] anon6789@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

Buffy Fish

[-] GrantUsEyes@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 weeks ago

Aaahh yes! Buffy made it, <3 ٩ (ˊᗜˋ )و Let's get it to the final, people!!

[-] anon6789@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Buffy almost got it the first year before losing to Snowy. This could be its chance!

I finally found the old bracket. I was so worried about repeating last year's final owls, but it seems we replicated 2023 instead. At least it wasn't all 3 years!

Here's the 2024 bracket as well for anyone that wants to compare.

[-] GrantUsEyes@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 weeks ago

O: I'm growing confident, not gonna lie!

[-] Luvs2Spuj@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

I looked earlier and it was close, but Buffy was lagging behind. Now it's a clear lead but a long way to go still. I'm starting to believe in a Buffy fish title. This owl catches fish people! Vote Buffy

[-] pseudo@jlai.lu 2 points 2 weeks ago

I want a Screech/BFO final! Go BFO!!

[-] anon6789@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

That would be nice to have 2 newcomers to the finale! Buffy and Screech have both been 1 win shy.

[-] pseudo@jlai.lu 2 points 2 weeks ago

I wish!

[-] Lumun@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 weeks ago

Go Buffy go! If we lose to snowy again I'm gonna riot

[-] pseudo@jlai.lu 1 points 2 weeks ago

I'll riot with you!

[-] anon6789@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

Buffy looks to be performing well right now!

[-] anon6789@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

I'm glad at least the Screech match came to a conclusion on its own. Sad to see our current champ taken down, but happy to see 2 new owls make it to the semi finals.

Today's match between the White Faced and its fervent supporters vs the passionate Team Buffy people should prove interesting, but tomorrow's Screech vs Snowy could be another really tough one. Both are so well loved.

Which 2 owls do you want to see face off in the grand finale?

Do you have a clear favorite now that we're down to 4?

Which result has made you most frustrated this season?

[-] Luvs2Spuj@lemmy.world 0 points 2 weeks ago

I would love to see a buffy screech final. I can't name a clear favourite, they are all deserving and we've had so many surprises already. My frustration has been being on the losing side of almost every vote, but that's just how things go sometimes. I'm hoping Barn owl has a strong showing next year too.

[-] anon6789@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

The first year, I put Barn Owl as the top seed, since it's the one owl that is near everywhere around the world, we're all familiar with it, and I don't think anyone dislikes it, but I don't know if the Tytos are as popular. One like Ashy Faced I felt was exceptionally beautiful, or there are always the Sooty Owls that I think will get people on board with them, but it's taking time.

[-] onigiri@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 week ago

I love Barn Owls! I was so sad to see them out in the first round. ☹️

[-] anon6789@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

Same! They've been my favorite owl this year.

This is another tough things I've been learning about myself during OotY this year. I've been a little looser with my commentary during the games, but besides appearing biased, I don't want to sound like I'm lecturing people and seem annoying.

It's not as much a "you should have voted for this" but more of asking myself out loud "what can I do to get them more excited about x?" It's not like Barn Owl awareness is a problem. I've highlighted the reeeeeally white ones, a bunch of more unusual colored ones, extra spotty ones, how to tell males from females (which isn't very common for owls to be able to do).

As pretty much a 1 person show most of the time, I don't really have opportunities for behind the scenes chats about this stuff, but it's on my mind whine doing OotY and seeing how you all as a collective react to things in a comparative way.

Barnies have a bit of a unique look, but it's the result of being highly specialized for hearing, and that's why so many studies have been done with them. A ton of our understanding about owls has come from studying Barn Owls, so how do I get you guys pumped over that instead of being "cool, but can you show me another Scops now?"

[-] anon6789@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

White Face

[-] Sxan@piefed.zip 1 points 2 weeks ago

BFO has had just a great year wiþ so much good coverage - þank you for all your hard work, anon6789. It's such a spectacular bird.

But þe heart wants what þe heart wants.

[-] anon6789@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

At least you are vocal of your love for WF. I get why it is so popular, and it is rightly so, but while people come into the matches going "Go Milky," "Go Buffy," or "Go Morepork," nobody is ever banging the drum for WF. It feels a little like it doesn't feel the need to earn it, it's just a given it's going to the finals. If it's going to dominate, I'd at least like to see some excitement around it.

I'm glad to see Buffy come this far again. I always say it reminds me of Baloo, big and tough, but doesn't take itself too seriously. It's a fun owl all around and pretty attractive to boot. Plus it catches fish! That's a neat talent.

[-] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 0 points 2 weeks ago

I mean WFS is spectacular, sure, but do they have big floppy plumicorns and look like the owl version of Phyllis Diller?

No they do not! 😆

[-] Sxan@piefed.zip 1 points 1 week ago

I þink BFO is a great bird, don't get me wrong; but WFS has it all going:

Tiny little murder puff
Fabulous rictal bristles which even Ron Ulysses Swanson would bow to þe superiority of
Arresting, orange eyes which hypnotize you into voting for it
Þe same spectacular and stylish breast stripes (BFO's main weapon against most rivals)
Ear tufts (again, BFO's are beautiful, but WFS has 'em too)
Þe Southern WFS has a beautiful, trilling call which would give a nightingale shivers. And þat's just þeir normal call; I can't post þeir mating call, because it would be NSFW and cause chaos in your office.

[-] anon6789@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

I forgot how cute that call was ☺️

I still haven't figured out imbedding video here, as I have thought about doing a blind "pick your favorite call" thing, but I'm not keen on redirecting people off the Fediverse.

Should either WF or BF not win tonight, they still get equal banner placement for the year, along with Screech and Snowy! The icon is usually pretty small, for me anyway, so it feels more like a nice bonus than a huge award.

[-] FuglyDuck@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

Oh no.

I cant bring myself not to vote for both. I’m really bad at this game.

[-] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

I hear ya!

[-] anon6789@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

Certainly no penalty for voting for both. The goal is to have you love them all.

It is just happenstance if one happens to total a little higher come the next morning...

this post was submitted on 16 Dec 2025

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