Great Horned Owl (Tiger Owl, Hoot Owl)

This feather is a soft body contour feather from a Great Horned Owl. These birds are large, powerful predators with distinctive ear tufts (plumicorns) and yellow eyes. They have a wingspan of up to 5 feet and are known for their deep 'hoo-h'hoo-hoo' vocalizations. Their plumage is designed for camouflage against tree bark.

Transverse barring pattern consisting of distinct, dark brownish-gray/charcoal bands against a cream or off-white base. The bands are slightly irregular and characteristic of the 'mottled' look of Bubo virginianus.

Exhibits a large plumulaceous (downy) base for insulation. The distal pennaceous barbs are loose and soft, featuring 'frings' or velvet-like barbules typical of owls to reduce noise during flight.

Velvety, soft, and matte. It lacks the waxy or stiff texture of diurnal raptor feathers. The surface is designed to absorb sound rather than repel water.

Dark transverse horizontal barring; downy base constituting nearly half the feather length; extremely soft 'velvet' texture typical of Strigiformes.

Extremely versatile; found in deciduous and coniferous forests, swamps, deserts, agricultural areas, and even urban parks. Requires semi-open landscapes for hunting.

Resident throughout North and South America, from the subarctic tree line in Canada/Alaska down to the southern tip of South America.

Apex nocturnal predator; controls populations of rodents, rabbits, and even other birds of prey. They are highly adaptable and serve as an indicator of ecosystem health.

Long-eared Owl (smaller, more orange tones), Barred Owl (more vertical streaking on bellies, though breast is barred), and Snowy Owl (whiter, thicker down).

Great Horned Owls can apply up to 300 pounds per square inch of pressure with their talons. They are one of the few predators that regularly hunt and eat striped skunks because they have a poor sense of smell.

Fair to Poor. The feather shows significant structural damage (splitting of the vanes) and many barbs have become unzipped or lost their adhesion, likely due to physical wear or being molted/dropped.