Great Horned Owl (Hoot Owl, Tiger Owl)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Strigiformes, Family: Strigidae, Genus: Bubo, Species: Bubo virginianus
Family: Strigidae (True Owls)
- Shape
- Broad and rounded; generally symmetrical with a soft, blunt tip characteristic of body contour feathers.
- Size
- Estimated 3 to 5 inches in length. This is consistent with the larger body feathers found on a medium-to-large raptor.
- Rarity
- Common; one of the most widespread and successful owls in the Americas.
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Description
A classic specimen from the Great Horned Owl, a powerful predator with iconic 'ear' tufts and yellow eyes. The feather reflects the bird's stealthy nature with its muted tones and soft texture.
Colour & Pattern
Mottled tawny-brown base with distinct dark brown horizontal bars/bands. The coloration is highly cryptic, designed for camouflage against tree bark.
Barb Structure
Highly plumulaceous (downy) at the base with soft, flexible pennaceous barbs toward the tip. Features specialized filamentous extensions that reduce noise during flight.
Texture & Surface
Extremely soft and velvety to the touch (matte). It lacks the stiff, glossy finish of diurnal birds of prey to facilitate silent movement.
Key Features
Distinctive dark horizontal barring on a rufous-brown background combined with an exceptionally soft, downy texture (velveteen surface).
Habitat
Extremely versatile: found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, subalpine areas, and urban parks.
Geographic Range
Year-round resident throughout North and South America, from the Arctic tree line to the southernmost tip of South America.
Ecological Role
Apex predator; helps control populations of rodents, rabbits, and even other birds of prey. They are highly adaptable 'generalists'.
Similar Species
Long-eared Owl (smaller, different banding density) and Barred Owl (grayer tones, lack the warm tawny-rufous wash seen here).
Interesting Facts
Great Horned Owls can exert over 300 pounds per square inch of pressure with their talons, enough to break the spine of large prey like skunks or even other raptors.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. The feather shows some significant ruffling and separation of the barbs (fraying) at the edges, suggesting it is a molted specimen found on the ground.