Great Horned Owl

The Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) is one of the most widespread and adaptable birds of prey in North America. Often referred to as the 'tiger of the air' because of its formidable hunting prowess, this large, powerful predator easily acclimatizes to highly varied environments ranging from subarctic tundra to arid deserts and bustling suburban parks. It is easily recognized by its distinctive feathery ear tufts (plumicorns) and large, piercing yellow eyes set in a prominent facial disc.

Key Field Marks

• Ear Tufts: Large, widely spaced tufts of feathers on top of the head, which are not actually ears but are used for display, behavioral expression, and camouflage.
• Facial Disc: Prominent reddish-brown, buff, or gray facial disc bordered by a dark frame, with a conspicuous white patch ('throat bib') on the upper breast that is particularly bright during vocalizations.
• Eyes: Large, striking yellow eyes set beneath heavy, white-feathered 'eyebrows' that give the owl a stern, intense glare.
• Plumage: Highly mottled grayish-brown upperparts, with heavy horizontal barring on the underparts. Coloration varies regionally, with overall darker individuals in the Pacific Northwest and very pale, washed-out variations in the subarctic.
• Size & Shape: A bulky, thick-bodied owl with a barrel-shaped silhouette, a blocky head, and broad, rounded wings in flight.

Similar Species

• Long-eared Owl (Asio otus): Much smaller and more slender. Its ear tufts are set much closer together near the center of the head, and its underparts feature vertical streaks crossed by horizontal bars, unlike the strictly horizontal barring of the Great Horned Owl.
• Barred Owl (Strix varia): Lacks ear tufts entirely, has chocolate-brown eyes rather than yellow, and features vertical streaks on the belly.
• Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa): Larger in overall length but lighter in weight, lacking ear tufts, featuring a heavily ringed facial disc, and lacking the white throat bib.

Distribution and Range

The Great Horned Owl boasts an extremely extensive range, extending from the northern tree line in Alaska and Canada southward across almost the entirety of North America, Central America, and into parts of South America.

Habitat Preferences

This species is incredibly adaptable and can be found in almost any semi-open landscape. Common environments include:

• Deciduous, coniferous, and mixed woodlands
• Agricultural areas, pastures, and orchards
• Arid deserts, canyons, and scrublands
• City parks, golf courses, and suburban neighborhoods

Migration

Great Horned Owls are generally non-migratory, year-round residents. Adults typically maintain their established territories throughout their entire lives, although northernmost populations may move south during years of extreme prey shortages.

Vocalizations

The quintessential sound of the night forest is the deep, resonant hoot of the Great Horned Owl. Its classic call is a series of four to five rhythmic, low-pitched hoots: hoo-h'hoo-hoo-hoo. Males have a deeper, lower-pitched voice than females, even though females are overall larger physically. During territory displays or courtship, pairs will perform duets, alternating their hoots in a haunting counterpoint.

Hunting and Feeding

An apex predator, this owl hunts primarily nocturnally and crepuscularly (at dusk and dawn). Watching from a high perch, they use their acute hearing and specialized low-light vision to locate prey before silently swooping down. Their extremely broad diet is notable for including heavily defended animals such as skunks, porcupines, and other birds of prey (including smaller owls and hawks).

Nesting and Breeding

Great Horned Owls are among the earliest nesting birds in North America, with courtship beginning in mid-winter and eggs often laid in January or February. They do not build their own nests; instead, they take over abandoned stick nests made by hawks, crows, or squirrels, or use cavities in trees, cliff ledges, and occasionally man-made structures.