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

The Great Horned Owl is a powerful and formidable nocturnal predator known for its prominent ear tufts, striking yellow eyes, and deep, resonant hooting calls. It is one of the largest and most adaptable owls in the Americas, capable of taking prey much larger than itself. Its plumage is a masterpiece of natural camouflage, blending seamlessly into tree bark.

Rich earth tones featuring intricate brown, grey, and white vermiculations, barring, and speckling across a buff background, typical of cryptic camouflage plumage

Pennaceous upper vane transitioning to a dense plumulaceous base; barbs feature microscopic projections that dampen sound for silent flight; intact structure

Exceptionally soft, velvety, and matte due to specialized fringe-like barbules that eliminate sound during flight friction

Intricate brown and grey vermiculation, soft velvety texture, pale rachis, and specialized silent-flight barb structures

Incredibly adaptable, inhabiting deciduous and coniferous forests, deserts, swamps, tundra, and even urban and suburban parks

Widespread across the Americas, ranging from the Arctic tree line down through South America, inhabiting nearly every environment from sub-arctic to tropical

Apex nocturnal predator regulating populations of rodents, rabbits, skunks, and even other raptors, maintaining a healthy balance in woodland and grassland food webs

Barred Owl (Strix varia) and Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus), though Barred Owl feathers lack the distinct warm brown vermiculations and Snowy Owl feathers are predominantly white with dark spots

Great Horned Owls are capable of exerting over 500 pounds per square inch of crushing power with their talons, comparable to the bite force of an adult dog

Good condition with intact barbs, minor wear at the base, and no significant fading or damage, graded as Good