Conservator, Wildlife

Owl hail the champion

The snowy owl swoops over the competition to claim the 2026 Marsh Madness crown

By Linda Browne April 21, 2026

After weeks of heated debates, close calls and bracket-busting upsets, Marsh Madness has crowned its 2026 champion—and this year’s winner is one cool customer. Give a round of whoos for the snowy owl, who soared to victory with 67 per cent of the final vote, beating out a very familiar foe: the peregrine falcon.

If that matchup sounds familiar, it should. The peregrine made it to the finals for the third year in a row, only to come up short once again. (Fast and fearless? Yes. Marsh Madness champion? Still chasing that title.) Meanwhile, the snowy owl captured hearts, and votes, across the country with its striking looks, quiet confidence and undeniable charisma.

This year’s competition was full of drama from the start.

Owl on a bench at Oak Hammock Marsh. © DUC

Round 1: The yellowheaded blackbird edged out the common goldeneye by just one vote.

Round 2: Indecision ruled, with 20 per cent of voters choosing to abstain rather than pick between the ruddy duck and American kestrel.

Round 3: Frontrunners emerged, with the snowy owl dominating with 75 per cent of the vote against the ruddy duck, while the peregrine powered through with 70 per cent of the vote against the marsh wren, setting up yet another epic faceoff.

Round 4: It was a more even split between the peregrine falcon and the yellow warbler but ultimately, the snowy owl ruled the roost.

Snowy Owl Snapshot

Snowy owls are Quebec’s provincial bird, making this win a proud one for la Belle Province.
Their specially fringed wing feathers reduce flight noise, allowing for near-silent flight—perfect for surprise attacks on prey.
Also called the “polar owl,” their white plumage provides effective camouflage against snow and ice, supporting daytime hunting in open tundra environments.
While rodents like mice and lemmings are their go-to meals, snowy owls are adaptable hunters and can occasionally take waterfowl in wetland habitats.

Most snowy owls live in Canada year-round and migrate within the country, connecting northern tundra wetlands to southern coastal and freshwater systems.
In winter, they often move south, sometimes into the northern United States, as prey becomes scarce, and are frequently found in coastal marshes, dunes, beaches and open wetlands, where prey is plentiful and sightlines are clear.
Canada is central to snowy owl breeding in North America, hosting an estimated 90 to 95 per cent of the continent’s breeding population.
Snowy owl romances may only last a breeding season, but courtship can include the ultimate gift: a lemming (can you say “romantic”?).
In 2025, snowy owls were assessed as threatened in Canada due to long-term population declines (linked to climate change, shifts in prey dynamics, and habitat pressures on both breeding and wintering grounds). Recently, they were listed for stronger international protection under the United Nations Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species, reflecting growing global concern for migratory wildlife.

The runner-up: Did you know?

The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on Earth, reaching speeds of up to 320 km/h (200 m.p.h.) when diving to catch prey. Because they often hunt over wetlands rich in waterbirds, peregrines were historically known as “duck hawks” in North America.

Thanks to everyone who voted and made Marsh Madness another unforgettable celebration of Canada’s wetland wildlife!

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Owl hail the champion

The snowy owl swoops over the competition to claim the 2026 Marsh Madness crown

Snowy Owl Snapshot

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