Great Horned Owl
Least ConcernBubo virginianus
Visual Identification
Great Horned Owl
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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
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.
Lifespan
years
The Great Horned Owl typically lives for 13 to 28 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
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
Other names:
Tiger Owl, Hoot Owl
Family:
StrigidaePredators
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.
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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