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

A magnificent and powerful raptor, the Great Horned Owl is easily recognized by its prominent ear tufts, piercing yellow eyes, and deep hooting calls. It is a fierce nocturnal apex predator with exceptional hearing and vision.

Striking pattern of alternating dark brown, black, and white or buff bars across a grayish-brown background, providing exceptional camouflage against tree bark

Pennaceous at the upper tip transitioning smoothly into a soft, velvety plumulaceous base with velvet-like barbules that eliminate sound during flight

Exceptionly soft and matte in texture, lacking the gloss of diurnal raptor feathers to ensure completely silent acoustic dampening during flight

Distinctive dark brown and white barred pattern, velvety soft texture designed for silent flight, and robust curved rachis

Incredibly adaptable, inhabiting deciduous and evergreen forests, deserts, swamps, tundra, and urban areas

Widespread throughout North America, Central America, and much of South America, residing year-round across diverse climates

Apex nocturnal predator controlling rodent, rabbit, and pest populations, serving as a key indicator of healthy woodland ecosystems

Barred Owl (Strix varia) and Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus), distinguished by differing bar width and velvet texture intensity

Great Horned Owls can rotate their heads 270 degrees and exert crushing grip pressure of over 500 pounds per square inch in their talons

Good overall condition with intact barbs and minimal fraying, displaying clean contrasting pigment bands