Bubo virginianus
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.
Length
46cm to 63cm
Wingspan
91cm to 153cm
Weight
910g to 2.5kg
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown Grey
Secondary Colour
White Black
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Grey
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Sea level to 4,000 meters
Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical
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:
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you: