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

A magnificent large owl with prominent ear tufts and a white throat patch. This feather displays the camouflaged 'bark' pattern designed to hide the owl against tree trunks during the day.

Mottled ochre and tawny-buff base with distinct, dark brown horizontal bars (banding); the trailing edge shows finer vermiculation

Densely pennaceous with a velvety, soft upper surface; features 'fimbriae' (comb-like fringes) on the leading edge to muffle sound during flight

Extremely soft, silky, and matte; the surface is covered in a specialized 'pile' that reduces friction and noise

Soft velvet texture, rounded tip, distinct dark banding on a warm buff background, and fine fimbriae on the leading edge

Extremely versatile: found in deciduous and coniferous forests, deserts, subarctic tundra, urban parks, and agricultural areas

Widespread throughout North and South America, from the tree line in the Arctic to the tip of South America; largely non-migratory resident

Apex predator; controls populations of rodents, rabbits, and even other birds of prey like Red-tailed Hawks

Long-eared Owl feathers (smaller/narrower), Barred Owl (grayer/less ochre), and Great Gray Owl (larger/grayer tone)

The Great Horned Owl has a grip strength of up to 500 psi. Their ears are placed asymmetrically on their skull to help triangulate the exact location of prey in total darkness.

Good condition; minor fraying at the tip suggests it was a naturally molted feather rather than a predator-plucked one