Great Horned Owl (Hoot Owl, Tiger Owl)

The Great Horned Owl is a powerful, heavily built apex nocturnal predator known for its prominent feather tufts ('horns'), bright yellow eyes, and deep hooting call. It is a fearless hunter capable of taking prey larger than itself.

Intricate mottled and barred pattern of rich dark browns, warm tans, grays, and white spots or blotches providing exceptional camouflage against tree bark

Pennaceous vane with specialized velvety, fringe-like tips on the barbs and barbules to dampen sound during flight, making it completely silent

Exceptionly soft, matte, and velvety to the touch due to specialized micro-structure of barbules that eliminates sound friction during flight

Distinguished by dark brown and white mottled barring across a broad web, sturdy dark rachis, and characteristically soft, velvety edges designed for silent flight

Extremely adaptable, found in deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests, deserts, wetlands, mangroves, agricultural areas, and urban parks

Widespread throughout the Americas, from the subarctic regions of Canada and Alaska down through the United States, Mexico, and Central America into South America

Acts as an apex nocturnal predator, helping to regulate populations of rodents, rabbits, skunks, and other small-to-medium-sized mammals and birds

Barred Owl (Strix varia) and Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus), but distinguished by the specific dark-and-white mottled earth-toned barring pattern and velvety texture

Great Horned Owls are among the earliest nesting birds in North America, often laying eggs in January or February in freezing temperatures. Their ear tufts are not actually ears, but feather displays used for communication.

Good overall condition with intact barbs and minimal fraying at the tip, showing natural coloration without heavy fading or wear