Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Great Horned Owl is a large, powerful bird with distinctive ear tufts, large yellow eyes, and a hooked beak. Its plumage is mottled brown and gray, with a white throat patch and horizontal barring on the underparts.
Sometimes known as the ‘tiger owl’ a great horned owl’s face features striped markings with brown, black, and buff streaks and a white bib.
Females are typically larger than males, but coloration is similar. Juveniles resemble adults but may have a more rufous tint and less defined markings.
Size
Length
46cm to 63cm
Wingspan
91cm to 153cm
Weight
910g to 2.5kg
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Grey
Secondary Colour
White Black
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Grey
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Great Horned Owls inhabit a wide range of environments across the Americas, from arctic tundra to tropical rainforests. They are particularly common in mixed woodlands, forests, and open country with scattered trees.
In North America, they are year-round residents throughout the continental United States, Canada, and parts of Mexico. Their adaptability allows them to thrive in both rural and urban settings.
The states with the highest concentrations of great horned owls include Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Oregon. These states have landscapes with dense forests and open woodlands, which are the preferred habitats of great horned owls.
In Canada, Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario all have a well-established year-round presence. Sikome Lake in Fish Creek Provincial Park in Alberta is known for its regular nesting owls.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 4,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Great Horned Owl. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!
Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Great Horned Owl demonstrates remarkable agility in flight, with the ability to manoeuvre swiftly through dense forests and execute precise hunting strikes. Their large, powerful wings and keen eyesight contribute to their exceptional aerial prowess.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
With the capacity to exert up to 300 pounds per square inch of crushing power in their talons, Great Horned Owls possess formidable strength. Their ability to take down prey larger than themselves, including other raptors and skunks, further attests to their physical might.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Great Horned Owls exhibit extraordinary adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats from arctic tundra to tropical rainforests, and even urban environments. Their varied diet and ability to use different nesting sites showcase their remarkable adaptiveness.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
These owls are known for their aggressive hunting behaviour and territorial nature. They fiercely defend their territories and are one of the few predators that regularly tackle formidable prey like skunks. However, they're not needlessly aggressive outside of hunting and territorial defence.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
While Great Horned Owls are robust birds with the stamina to hunt nightly, they are not migratory and typically don't engage in prolonged physical activities. Their nocturnal lifestyle and efficient hunting methods suggest good endurance, but not to the extreme levels seen in some migratory species.
Diet
Great Horned Owls are opportunistic predators with a diverse diet. They primarily hunt small to medium-sized mammals such as rabbits, skunks, and rodents. They also prey on birds, including other raptors, and occasionally fish, reptiles, and amphibians.
Hunting occurs mostly during the night, although some daytime hunting also occurs. Birds as large as herons and geese are occasionally caught, although mammals account for up to 90 percent of their usual diet.
Behaviour
Great Horned Owls are primarily nocturnal, with peak activity during dusk and dawn. They are skilled hunters, using their keen eyesight and hearing to locate prey. These territorial owls often engage in hooting duets to defend their areas and strengthen pair bonds.
Vocalisation
The Great Horned Owl's call is a deep, resonant 'hoo-h'HOO-hoo-hoo,' often described as sounding like 'Who's awake? Me too.' Males generally have a lower-pitched voice than females.
During courtship, pairs may engage in a duet of hoots, with the female's call being higher and shorter.
Nesting & Breeding
Great Horned Owls typically form monogamous pairs and begin courtship in late winter. They often use abandoned nests of other large birds or natural cavities for nesting.
Females usually lay 2-3 white, round eggs. The nest may be lined with bark, leaves, and downy feathers. Eggs are incubated primarily by the female for about 30-37 days.
Nestlings are covered in white down and develop quickly, fledging at about 6-7 weeks old. Parents continue to care for and feed the young for several months after fledging.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While Great Horned Owls are currently listed as Least Concern, they face threats from habitat loss and collisions with vehicles.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving diverse habitats and educating the public about the importance of these apex predators in ecosystem balance.
Birdwatching Tips
- Listen for their distinctive 'hoo-h'HOO-hoo-hoo' call at night
- Look for them perched in large trees at the edge of open areas
- Search for whitewash and pellets beneath potential roosting sites
- Scan for their silhouette against the sky at dusk
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Adult Great Horned Owls have few natural predators, but their eggs and young may fall prey to raccoons, foxes, and other large owls.
Did You Know?
- Great Horned Owls can exert up to 300 pounds per square inch of crushing power in their talons.
- They are one of the few predators that regularly eat skunks.
- Their eyes are so large that they cannot move in their sockets, requiring the owl to turn its entire head to look around.
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Bubo virginianus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T61752071A132039486.
View source - 2 3
report, 2007: Breeding Bird Survey and/or Christmas Bird Count: Butcher and Niven
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