Great Horned Owl (also known as Tiger Owl or Hoot Owl)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Strigiformes, Family: Strigidae, Genus: Bubo, Species: Bubo virginianus · Strigidae (Typical Owls) · Secondary flight feather (likely S3-S5)
Species
Bubo virginianus
Feather Type
Secondary flight feather (likely S3-S5)
Family
Strigidae (Typical Owls)
Shape
Broad and slightly asymmetrical with a rounded tip. The trailing edge is notably wider than the leading edge, typical of secondary flight feathers.
Size
Approximately 7-9 inches (18-23 cm) in length. This is consistent with the mid-range size for an adult female or large male Great Horned Owl.
Rarity
Common; it is the most widely distributed and successful owl species in the Americas.
Color & Pattern
Mottled brown and ochre/buff. Features thick, dark brown transverse bars (banding) against a lighter tawny-buff background. The dorsal surface is more vivid, while the ventral surface is paler.
Barb Structure
Pennaceous and soft. Feature a specialized velvety 'fringe' or 'flutings' (fimbriae) on the leading edge and a soft, hair-like trailing edge to reduce turbulence and allow silent flight.
Texture & Surface
Extremely soft, silky, and velvet-like. This 'downy' surface is an adaptation for sound muffling. Unlike many birds, it lacks an oily, waterproof coating, which makes it feel dry and matte.
Description
A magnificent large-bodied owl with prominent ear tufts and yellow eyes. The feather reflects the bird's cryptic camouflage, designed to mimic bark and dappled light. They are powerful apex predators with a 3-5 foot wingspan.
Key Features
Distinctive wide dark brown bands, warm buff coloration, velvety sound-muffling texture, and a rounded tip typical of owls.
Habitat
Incredibly diverse; found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, agricultural areas, and suburban parks or city cemeteries.
Geographic Range
Widely distributed across the Americas. Year-round resident from the subarctic tree line in Alaska and Canada, through the United States and Mexico, down to parts of South America.
Condition Notes
Good condition with minor wear on the distal barbs. No visible fault bars (nutritional stress marks). The calamus is intact, suggesting a natural molt rather than a forced removal.
Interesting Facts
Great Horned Owls have a crushing grip of 300-500 psi, comparable to a large dog's bite. They are one of the few animals that regularly prey on skunks because they have a poor sense of smell.
Ecological Role
Apex predator; controls populations of rodents, rabbits, and even other birds of prey. They are vital ecological indicators of habitat health.
Similar Species
Long-eared Owl (smaller, thinner bands), Barred Owl (grayer tone, more vertical barring on body but wing feathers very similar), Great Gray Owl (much larger, grayer color palette).