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
Family: Strigidae (Typical Owls)
- Shape
- Broad and slightly asymmetrical with a rounded tip. The trailing edge is notably wider than the leading edge, which features characteristic softening for silent flight.
- Size
- Approximately 7-9 inches (18-23 cm) in length. This is consistent with the secondary feathers of a large female Great Horned Owl, which are generally larger than males.
- Rarity
- Common; it is one of the most widespread and successful birds of prey in the Americas.
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Description
A magnificent large owl with prominent ear tufts (plumicorns) and a white throat patch. This feather reflects the owl's nocturnal lifestyle, featuring intricate 'cryptic coloration' that mimics lichen and bark. The Great Horned Owl is a powerful apex predator with a 3-5 foot wingspan and a deep, resonant 'hoo-h'hoo--hoo-hoo' call.
Colour & Pattern
Mottled and barred with a mixture of dark umber brown, buff-tan, and grayish-white. It features prominent transverse dark bands (bars) against a lighter, speckled background, providing excellent camouflage against tree bark.
Barb Structure
Densely pennaceous with a velvety, plumulaceous upper surface. The leading edge features a soft, comb-like 'fimbriae' or fringe, and the entire surface is covered in a soft downy dorsal pile to dampen sound during flight.
Texture & Surface
Extremely soft, silky, and matte. Unlike the stiff, noisy feathers of a hawk, this feather is designed for acoustic dampening. It feels 'woolly' to the touch due to the specialized barbules.
Key Features
Distinctive 'comb-like' fringe on the leading edge, velvety/fuzzy dorsal surface, and bold 'tiger-stripe' brown and tan barring.
Habitat
Extremely adaptable; found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, subarctic tundra, agricultural areas, and even urban parks or suburban woodlots.
Geographic Range
Year-round resident across most of North America, from the subarctic tree line in Alaska and Canada, south through Central America and parts of South America.
Ecological Role
Apex predator; controls populations of rodents, rabbits, and other birds. They are ecological indicators of a healthy, diverse food web. Currently listed as 'Least Concern' by the IUCN.
Similar Species
Barred Owl feathers (Strix varia) are similar but usually have cleaner, more defined horizontal bars and lack the extensive mottling. Long-eared Owl feathers are much smaller and more slender.
Interesting Facts
Great Horned Owls have no sense of smell and are one of the only consistent predators of skunks. They exert 200-500 pounds per square inch of pressure with their talons—enough to break the spine of a large rabbit.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good; shows signs of natural wear and some separation of the barbs (vane splitting) at the tip and trailing edge, likely a naturally molted feather from a mature adult.