Great Horned Owl (also known as Tiger Owl or Hoot Owl)

A magnificent large owl with prominent ear tufts and a deep hooting call. This feather reflects the owl's cryptic camouflage, designed to mimic tree bark while it roosts during the day.

Mottled brown and tawny-buff with distinct horizontal dark brown vermiculation and barring. The base is a slate-grey downy texture.

The upper portion is semipennaceous with a characteristic 'velvet' or 'fringe' of soft barbules, while the base is highly plumulaceous (downy) for insulation.

Extremely soft, silky, and matte. The surface has a 'fringed' texture designed to dampen sound during flight and provide superior insulation.

Distinguished by the fine 'vermiculated' (worm-like) dark patterns on a lighter buff background and the exceptionally soft, downy lower shaft.

Highly adaptable; found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, subalpine fields, and urban parks.

Year-round resident across most of North and South America, from the Arctic tree line to the tip of South America.

Apex nocturnal predator; controls populations of rodents, rabbits, and even other birds of prey.

Barred Owl (has more vertical streaking) and Long-eared Owl (smaller, with more distinct orange-buff tones).

Great Horned Owls can exert over 300 pounds per square inch of pressure with their talons and are one of the few predators that regularly hunt skunks.

Good; shows natural molting characteristics. The downy base is intact, and the distal vanes show minor wear typical of a body feather.