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

The Great Horned Owl is a massive, powerful raptor with prominent ear tufts and large yellow eyes. This feather reflects its nocturnal lifestyle; its large surface area and specialized soft edges allow the bird to ambush prey in total silence. Adult birds have a grizzled gray-brown appearance with a white throat patch.

Mottled dark brown and grayish-brown base with 5-7 distinct, bold buff-orange or tawny horizontal bands. The rachis is dark. Underside is lighter with more muted versions of the dorsal pattern.

Pennaceous structure throughout most of the vane but with a specialized 'fimbriate' or velvety leading edge (comb-like serrations) and soft plumulaceous base for near-silent flight.

Extremely soft and velvety to the touch. The surface has a matte appearance with a specialized downy 'bloom' that muffles the sound of air passing over the wing.

Bold buff-to-orange banding, rounded tip, velvety texture, and the presence of fine serrations (the 'comb') on the leading edge.

Extremely versatile: found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, tundra edges, tropical rainforests, cities, and suburban parks.

Common throughout North and South America, ranging from the subarctic tree line in the north to the southern tip of South America. Primarily a year-round resident.

Apex predator; controls populations of rodents, skunks, and other birds. They are an essential part of the forest food web and serve as indicators of ecosystem health.

Long-eared Owl (smaller, different banding), Barred Owl (grayer, lacks the bright buff/orange tones), and Snowy Owl (whiter, less distinct banding).

The 'horns' of the Great Horned Owl are not ears but merely tufts of feathers. Their grip strength is estimated at 300-500 psi—enough to snap the spine of a large rabbit or even a skunk.

The feather appears to be in Good condition, showing some slight fraying at the base and mid-vane, likely a naturally molted specimen from a mid-to-late summer molt cycle.