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) · Contour (Body feather), likely from the flank or upper legs (breeches).
Species
Bubo virginianus (Confidence: High)
Feather Type
Contour (Body feather), likely from the flank or upper legs (breeches).
Family
Strigidae (Typical Owls)
Shape
Broad, rounded, and spatulate with a soft, fan-like outline. The vanes are relatively symmetrical compared to flight feathers.
Size
Approximately 2.5 to 3.5 inches in length. This is consistent with larger contour feathers found on the body of a Great Horned Owl.
Rarity
Common; one of the most widespread and adaptable raptors in the Americas.
Color & Pattern
Overall warm ochre or cinnamon-buff base color. The distal tip features prominent dark brown or charcoal transverse barring. Faint, irregular horizontal mottling occurs throughout the lower barbs.
Barb Structure
Highly plumulaceous (fluffy) at the base and throughout most of the vane. The distal portion shows loose pennaceous structure with specialized velvet-like pile (fimbriae) for sound dampening.
Texture & Surface
Extremely soft, silky, and downy. The surface has a matte appearance with a specialized hair-like coating that eliminates friction noise during movement.
Description
This feather belongs to the Great Horned Owl, a powerful apex predator. The bird itself is large (up to 25 inches long) with prominent 'horns' or ear tufts. It is characterized by its deep hoots and piercing yellow eyes. Its plumage is a masterclass in camouflage, mimicking tree bark with various shades of brown, tan, and black.
Key Features
Ochre/buff base color, distinct dark horizontal barring at the tip, and exceptionally long, wispy plumulaceous (downy) barbs near the bottom two-thirds.
Habitat
Found in a vast diversity of habitats including deciduous and coniferous forests, deserts, suburban parks, agricultural areas, and cliffs.
Geographic Range
Resident year-round throughout North America from the Arctic tree line south through Central and parts of South America.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. The feather shows some separation of the distal barbs (pennaceous portion) and typical wear near the tip, likely molted naturally.
Interesting Facts
The 'horns' aren't ears at all, but tufts of feathers. These owls have a crushing power in their talons of up to 500 psi—enough to snap the spine of a large rabbit or even a skunk.
Ecological Role
Apex predator; controls populations of rodents, rabbits, and even other birds of prey. They are vital indicators of ecosystem health.
Similar Species
Long-eared Owl feathers are similar but generally smaller and more orange-toned. Red-tailed Hawk feathers have stiffer barbs and lack the 'fuzzy' sound-dampening surface texture.