Great Horned Owl (Hoot Owl)

These are iconic feathers of the Great Horned Owl, a large, powerful raptor with prominent ear tufts and yellow eyes. The heavy barring on the feathers serves as perfect camouflage against tree bark. Known as the 'tiger of the air,' this bird has a wingspan of up to 4.8 feet and a deep, rhythmic hooting call.

Dark charcoal to grey-brown base with distinct, thick white and buff-colored horizontal bands (barring). The pattern is mottled, providing disruptive camouflage.

Pennaceous throughout most of the vane but transitioning to plumulaceous at the base. Includes specialized "fringe" or fimbriae on the leading edge for silent flight.

Velvety, soft, and matte. The surface is covered in a fine 'velvet' of dorsal barbules that dampens sound, making the feather feel much softer than a hawk or crow feather.

Broad dark barring on a grey/buff background, velvety texture for silent flight, and 'fringed' trailing edges.

Highly adaptable; found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, subalpine fields, and urban parks near Santa Monica College.

Extensive range across North and South America, from the subarctic to the southern tip of South America; year-round resident in California.

Apex predator; controls populations of rodents, rabbits, and even other birds of prey. They are critical for maintaining balance in the local Southern California ecosystem.

Red-tailed Hawk (lacks the velvety hoot-owl texture), Long-eared Owl (smaller, more orange/ochre tones), and Barred Owl (shorter barring, different grey tones).

Great Horned Owls have a crushing grip strength of over 300 psi, comparable to a German Shepherd's bite. They are one of the few predators that regularly hunt skunks, as they have a very poor sense of smell.

Good to Fair; there is some minor splitting of the barbs near the tips and common wear consistent with a naturally molted feather found on the ground.

Santa Monica College