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

This feather belongs to the most powerful owl in North America. The Great Horned Owl is a large, bulky raptor with prominent ear tufts and piercing yellow eyes. Its plumage is a complex camouflage of mottled browns, grays, and buff tones.

Distinctive horizontal 'tiger' barring. Alternating bands of tawny-buff/white and dark umber or grayish-brown. The base is a creamy white.

Pennaceous at the distal end with a velvety soft surface; highly plumulaceous (downy) at the base for insulation. Features fine fimbriae (soft fringes) characteristic of owls.

Extremely soft, silky, and matte. The surface has a velvet-like 'pile' that reduces wind noise, a specific predatory adaptation for silent flight.

Bold horizontal barring, soft velvety texture, and a high proportion of plumulaceous (downy) material at the base.

Extremely adaptable; found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, subalpine fields, and urban parks.

Year-round resident throughout most of North America, extending through Central America and parts of South America.

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

Barred Owl (Strix varia) feathers have more vertical streaks on the belly, though flank feathers can look similar; Great Horned feathers are generally warmer/buffer in tone.

Great Horned Owls have a bite force of up to 500 PSI—enough to break the spine of a large rabbit. They are also one of the earliest nesters, often sitting on eggs in January or February while snow is still on the ground.

Good condition. The barbs are mostly intact, though the downy base shows typical handling fluffiness. No significant wear or fault bars visible.