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

A secondary feather from a large, powerful owl with iconic 'ear tufts'. The bird has yellow eyes, a white throat patch, and a bulky silhouette. The feather's complex barring provides perfect camouflage against tree bark.

Mottled brownish-gray and buff base with 5-7 distinct dark brown to blackish transverse bars. The bars are somewhat irregular and wavy, creating a 'tiger-stripe' camouflage effect typical of the species.

Pennaceous throughout most of the vane but transitioning to plumulaceous (downy) at the base. It features specialized 'fimbriae' or a velvet-like upper surface and comb-like serrations on the leading edge for silent flight.

Extremely soft, silky, and velvety to the touch. The surface has a matte appearance with 'pruinosity' (a powdery coating) that helps dampen sound by reducing air turbulence.

Soft velvety texture, rounded tip, distinct dark brown horizontal banding, and trailing edge 'fringe' for silent flight.

Extremely adaptable: found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, agricultural areas, and suburban parks like those in Pacific Palisades, CA.

Year-round resident across North and South America, ranging from the subarctic tree line in Alaska and Canada down through Central America to the tip of South America.

Apex nocturnal predator. They control populations of rodents, rabbits, and even other birds of prey. They are vital indicators of ecosystem health.

Long-eared Owl feathers are smaller and more slender; Red-tailed Hawk feathers are stiffer, lack the velvety 'silent' texture, and have different banding patterns.

Great Horned Owls have a crushing power in their talons of up to 500 psi. They are one of the few predators that regularly hunt skunks, as they have a very poor sense of smell.

Good condition. The vanes are mostly intact with minor separation at the base. The lack of significant sun bleaching suggests a relatively fresh molt.

Pacific Palisades, CA