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

The Great Horned Owl is a formidable predator with large ear tufts, yellow eyes, and a white throat patch. This feather reflects the bird’s camouflage, mimicking tree bark, and its adaptation for silent flight to ambush prey at night.

Mottled ochre and tawny-buff base color with 5 to 7 prominent dark brown transverse bands; heavy stippling and 'vermiculation' between bands; ventral side is lighter and more matte.

Densely pennaceous with a velvety, plumulaceous upper surface (pilen) for noise reduction; specialized barbules create a soft, muffled leading edge characteristic of silent flight.

Extremely soft and velvety to the touch (pilen); the surface has a matte appearance with no iridescence; the leading edge feels downy rather than sharp.

Bold dark banding, soft velvety 'muff' on the surface, ochre/tawny background, and the lack of a stiff, sharp leading edge common in hawks.

Extremely versatile; found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, agricultural areas, and urban parks with tall trees.

Found throughout North America from the Arctic tree line south through Central America and much of South America; largely non-migratory/resident.

Apex nocturnal predator; controls populations of rodents, rabbits, and other birds. Considered an indicator of forest health.

Red-tailed Hawk (stiffer, lack velvety texture), Long-eared Owl (smaller, different banding), Barred Owl (grayer/whiter background, no ochre tones).

Great Horned Owls can exert over 300 pounds per square inch of pressure with their talons. They are one of the few predators that regularly hunt skunks, as they have a poor sense of smell.

Good; showing some separation of barbs (splits) near the base and mid-vane, typical of a naturally molted feather or one moved by wind on the ground.