Great Horned Owl (Tiger Owl, Hoot Owl)

This small feather exhibits the classic camouflage of the Great Horned Owl, a powerful predator with a massive wingspan and iconic 'horns' (ear tufts). The bird is known for its deep, resonant hooting.

Mottled 'tiger' pattern consisting of dark brown or blackish transverse bars against a warm buff, cinnamon, and whitish background.

Highly plumulaceous (fluffy) base with soft pennaceous tip; features specialized velvet-like barbules (fimbriae) that dampen sound.

Extremely soft, velvety, and matte; the surface is designed to break up air turbulence for silent flight.

Velvet-like texture for silent flight, distinct dark brown barring on a buff/white background, and a very fluffy plumulaceous base.

Highly adaptable: found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, subalpine areas, and urban parks.

Resident throughout North America from the Arctic tree line south through Central America and parts of South America.

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

Long-eared Owl (smaller, different banding) or Barred Owl (more vertical streaking on belly feathers, though coverts look similar).

Great Horned Owls are one of the few predators that regularly hunt skunks, as they have a very poor sense of smell.

Good condition; slight feather wear at the distal tip suggesting it was naturally molted; no visible fault bars or parasite damage.