Great Horned Owl (Tiger Owl, Hoot Owl)

The Great Horned Owl is a powerful, heavily built nocturnal predator known for its prominent ear tufts, intense yellow eyes, and deep hooting call. As the most adaptable and widely distributed owl in the Americas, it preys on everything from small rodents to large mammals and birds.

Distinctive barred pattern featuring alternating dark brown/charcoal and grayish-white bands across a tan or buff background, creating excellent camouflage against tree bark

Pennaceous upper portion with tightly interlocking barbicels transitioning smoothly into a very loose, fluffy plumulaceous base; notably velvety texture without the specialized comb-like leading edge of flight feathers, but structured for silent flight insulation

Extremely soft, velvety, and matte in appearance, lacking any glossy sheen to absorb sound and facilitate silent flight, with a fluffy downy base

Broad rounded contour feather with high-contrast dark brown and white/buff barring and an exceptionally soft, velvety texture designed for sound-dampening

Incredibly adaptable, found in deciduous and evergreen forests, deserts, tundra, swamps, urban areas, and agricultural fields from the Arctic to South America

Widespread and resident across North America, through Central America, and down into South America

Apex nocturnal predator regulating populations of rodents, rabbits, skunks, and medium-sized mammals, serving as a key indicator of woodland ecosystem health

Barred Owl (Strix varia) and Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus), though Great Horned Owl contour feathers are typically larger, stouter, and exhibit harsher, more contrasting blackish-brown and white barring

Great Horned Owls are capable of exerting up to 500 pounds of pressure per square inch with their talons, comparable to the bite force of a large dog, and they are often the primary predator of other raptors including smaller owls and hawks

Good condition, clean barbs with intact interlocking structure and minimal wear or fading