Great Horned Owl

This is a large, powerful feather from the 'Tiger of the Air.' The Great Horned Owl is a massive raptor with prominent ear tufts and a white throat patch. Their plumage is designed for total camouflage against tree bark and rock faces.

Mottled brown, buff, and cream; features distinct dark brown horizontal banding (barring) interspersed with gray-brown 'vermiculation' or peppery markings typical of cryptic owl plumage.

Pennaceous throughout most of the vane but with a specialized plumulaceous base; features a unique 'fimbriate' or comb-like edge (flutings) on the leading margin to muffle sound.

Extremely soft and velvety to the touch. The surface has a matte appearance with a specialized downy coating that reduces air turbulence and friction.

Velvety surface texture, comb-like leading edge flutings for silent flight, and dark brown barring on a buff/gray-brown mottled background.

Highly adaptable; found in deciduous and evergreen forests, high-desert canyons (like those near Bend, OR), subalpine areas, and urban parks.

Resident throughout North and South America, from the Arctic tree line to the Straits of Magellan. Non-migratory and highly territorial.

Apex predator. They control populations of rodents, skunks, and even other birds of prey. They are considered an indicator species for forest health.

Long-eared Owl (smaller, more orange tones), Great Gray Owl (larger, more gray/white barring), and Barred Owl (shorter, more rounded feathers with different barring patterns).

Great Horned Owls have a bite pressure of nearly 300 psi, comparable to a German Shepherd. Their silent flight is so effective they can fly past a microphone array undetected.

Excellent condition with intact barbs and minimal wear. The calamus is clean, suggesting a natural molt rather than a forced removal.

In Bend Or