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

This feather belongs to the Great Horned Owl, a powerful apex predator known for its 'horns' (ear tufts) and deep hooting. The bird is large with an imposing profile and yellow cat-like eyes.

Mottled and barred with dark umber brown, buff-orange, and off-white. The dorsal surface shows distinct transverse banding with a 'salt and pepper' stippling between the bars.

Densely pennaceous throughout most of the vane with a plumulaceous (downy) base. Features specialized velvet-like pilosity on the surface to dampen sound.

Extremely soft and velvety to the touch. It has a matte finish without any iridescence, designed for light absorption and sound suppression.

Heavy brown banding, rich buffy/orange wash, and the characteristic soft velvety texture unique to owls.

Highly adaptable: found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, subarctic tundra, and urban parks.

Year-round resident across most of North and South America, stretching from the tree line in the Arctic to the southern tip of South America.

Apex predator; controls populations of rodents, rabbits, and medium-sized mammals. Highly sensitive to environmental toxins like rodenticides.

Long-eared Owl feathers are similar but significantly smaller and more slender. Barred Owl feathers lack the rich orange-buff tones.

Great Horned Owls have a crushing grip of 300-500 psi, enough to break the spine of large prey like skunks or even other raptors.

Good condition. Minor ruffling at the edges suggests it was a natural molt. No significant parasites or fault bars visible.