Great Horned Owl (alternate: Tiger Owl)

This feather belongs to an apex nocturnal predator known for its prominent ear tufts and deep hooting call. The feather shows the classic disruptive coloration used to blend into tree bark during the day. As a large owl, their wingspan can reach 4.8 feet.

Mottled gray and brown base with distinct, dark horizontal barring across the vane; typical camouflaged 'bark' pattern; rachis is light-colored/cream at the base.

Pennaceous with a specialized velutinous (velvety) surface; the leading edge features a fine comb-like fringe (fimbriae) to reduce sound; plumulaceous at the base.

Extremely soft, silky, and matte; the surface has a unique 'muffled' feel designed for silent flight.

Characteristic velvety texture and fine serrations on the leading edge facilitate silent flight; distinctive dark banding on a mottled gray-brown background.

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

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

Apex predator; controls populations of rodents, rabbits, and even other birds of prey; significant indicator of forest health.

Barred Owl (Strix varia) feathers have more regular, cleaner white/brown barring; Great Gray Owl feathers are significantly larger and grayer.

Great Horned Owls have the most diverse diet of any North American raptor, and they are one of the few predators that regularly hunt skunks due to their poor sense of smell.

Good condition; showing slight wear at the tip and some separation of the lower barbs (plumulaceous section); no visible fault bars.