Great Horned Owl (also nicknamed the Tiger Owl or Hoot Owl)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Strigiformes, Family: Strigidae, Genus: Bubo, Species: Bubo virginianus · Strigidae (Typical Owls) · Contour feather; likely from the breast, flank, or upper leg area.
Species
Bubo virginianus
Feather Type
Contour feather; likely from the breast, flank, or upper leg area.
Family
Strigidae (Typical Owls)
Shape
Broadly spatulate with a rounded tip. The vane is relatively symmetrical, characteristic of body feathers rather than flight feathers.
Size
Approximately 2.5 to 3.5 inches in length. This is consistent with the medium-to-large body contour feathers of a large owl.
Rarity
Common; however, because they are nocturnal and secretive, feathers are more frequently found than the birds are seen.
Color & Pattern
Base is pure white to creamy white. The distal end features a distinct, dark chocolate-brown to blackish horizontal bar. The pattern is typical of the mottled 'salt and pepper' underside plumage of this species.
Barb Structure
The base is highly plumulaceous (downy) for insulation, while the distal half is pennaceous but exceptionally soft. It lacks the stiff interlocking hooklets of a hawk feather, resulting in a 'hairy' appearance.
Texture & Surface
Velvety and incredibly soft to the touch. The surface is matte (non-reflective) with a specialized 'fuzz' or velvet-like coating that aids in silent movement and heat retention.
Description
A heavy-bodied bird with two prominent 'ear tufts' of feathers. They possess massive yellow eyes and a deep, booming five-syllable hoot. Their plumage is a complex mix of brown, gray, black, and white, designed to mimic tree bark.
Key Features
Broad dark terminal/sub-terminal bar on a white background; extreme downiness at the base; velvety surface texture; white rachis.
Habitat
Extremely versatile; found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, subalpine fields, and urban parks/agricultural areas.
Geographic Range
Resident throughout North and South America, from the northern tree line in Alaska and Canada down to the tip of South America. They are non-migratory.
Condition Notes
Good condition. The barbs are slightly separated at the tip (weather-worn), but the dark pigmentation remains sharp. The calamus is intact.
Interesting Facts
Great Horned Owls have a grip strength of up to 500 PSI, similar to the bite of a large dog, and are one of the few predators that regularly hunt skunks due to their poor sense of smell.
Ecological Role
Apex predator; controls populations of rodents, rabbits, and even other birds of prey. They are highly adaptable and occupy a wide variety of niches.
Similar Species
Barn Owl (Tyto alba) feathers are usually more orange/tawny and lack the sharp black barring. Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) feathers can be white with black bars but usually lack the thick downy texture found in southern Bubo species.