Great Horned Owl (Hoot Owl, Cat Owl)

This is a robust feather from a powerful nocturnal predator. The Great Horned Owl is known for its prominent ear tufts and deep hooting. The feather's intricate barring provides perfect camouflage against tree bark.

Mottled grayish-brown and buff-orange base with 4-5 distinct dark chocolate brown transverse bands; features 'salt and pepper' speckling between bands.

Predominantly pennaceous with a soft, velvet-like 'fimbriae' (fringe) on the leading edge to muffle sound; plumulaceous at the very base.

Extremely soft, downy, and 'silky' to the touch; matte finish designed for noise reduction during silent flight.

Velvety texture for silent flight, distinct dark brown banding on a buff-mottled background, and a rounded tip.

Highly adaptable; found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, agricultural areas, and suburban parks.

Resident throughout North and South America, from the subarctic tree line to the southern tip of South America.

Apex nocturnal predator; controls populations of rodents, rabbits, and even other birds of prey.

Barred Owl (straighter, cleaner bands, cooler gray), Red-tailed Hawk (stiffer texture, no velvet fringe).

Great Horned Owls have a crushing grip strength of up to 500 psi and are one of the few predators that regularly hunt skunks.

Good; some slight fraying at the tip and separation of the barbs (splits) near the mid-section, suggesting a naturally molted specimen.