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

This feather represents the powerful Great Horned Owl, a large predator with a wingspan of up to 5 feet. The bird is characterized by its prominent 'ear' tufts, yellow eyes, and deep, resonant hooting. Its plumage provides excellent camouflage against tree bark.

Pale buff to cream base color with distinct, horizontal dark brown to charcoal barring. The bars are slightly irregular and typical of the 'tiger' patterning found on the Great Horned Owl abdomen and flanks.

Highly plumulaceous (downy) at the base for insulation, transitioning to a soft, pennaceous structure at the tip. Feature specialized velvety barbules typical of owls for silent flight and sound dampening.

Extremely soft, silky, and matte. The surface lacks the glossy sheen found in many water birds and instead has a 'velvety' texture that assists in muffling the sound of feathers rubbing together.

Soft velvety texture, distinct horizontal dark barring on a buff background, and an exceptionally downy base.

Highly adaptable, inhabiting deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, desert canyons, parklands, and even suburban areas.

Year-round resident throughout North America from the Arctic tree line south to Central America and parts of South America.

Apex predator; controls populations of rodents, rabbits, and even other birds of prey. They are highly important for maintaining ecological balance in varied environments.

Long-eared Owl feathers are similar but generally smaller and more slender. Barred Owl feathers have more consistent vertical barring on the breast and lacks the deep buff tones of the Great Horned.

The 'horns' of the Great Horned Owl are not ears but merely tufts of feathers. They possess roughly 28 pounds of crushing power in their talons, enough to hunt prey as large as skunks and other raptors.

Fair to Good. There is significant 'zipper' separation of the barbs (splits in the vane) and some fraying at the tip, likely due to natural wear or being found on the ground.