Great Horned Owl (also known as the Tiger Owl or Hoot Owl)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Strigiformes, Family: Strigidae, Genus: Bubo, Species: Bubo virginianus · Strigidae (Typical Owls) · Contour (Body feather), likely from the breast or flank region
Species
Bubo virginianus
Feather Type
Contour (Body feather), likely from the breast or flank region
Family
Strigidae (Typical Owls)
Shape
Broad and rounded with a blunt tip; symmetrical vane typical of body contour feathers rather than flight remiges
Size
Approximately 2 to 3 inches in length. This size is consistent with the larger contour feathers found on the torso of a Great Horned Owl.
Rarity
Common. The Great Horned Owl is one of the most widespread and successful raptors in the Americas.
Color & Pattern
Mottled white and cream base with two distinct, horizontal rusty-brown to dusky-orange bands. The tip shows fine vermiculation (salt-and-pepper speckling) typical of owl camoflage.
Barb Structure
Mixed structure; the distal (top) half is semi-pennaceous with a characteristic velvety pile, while the proximal (base) half is highly plumulaceous (downy) for insulation.
Texture & Surface
Extremely soft and silky. The surface has a 'velvet' or 'fringe' texture characteristic of owls, designed to muffle sound during flight and movement.
Description
A large, thick-bodied owl with prominent ear tufts. This feather reflects the owl's cryptic plumage, which allows it to vanish against tree bark during the day. The bird is known for its deep, rhythmic hooting.
Key Features
Horizontal rufous/brown banding on a cream background, extremely soft downy base, and a velvety 'hush' texture on the distal barbs.
Habitat
Highly adaptable, found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, subalpine meadows, and urban parks or suburban areas.
Geographic Range
Year-round resident across most of North America from the Arctic tree line south through Central and South America.
Condition Notes
Good condition. The feather looks freshly molted with intact barbs, though the plumulaceous base is slightly tangled from handling or static.
Interesting Facts
Great Horned Owls are one of the few animals that regularly hunt skunks, as they have a very poor sense of smell. They have a grip strength of up to 500 psi.
Ecological Role
Apex nocturnal predator. They control populations of rodents, rabbits, and even other birds of prey, serving as a vital check in the ecosystem.
Similar Species
Barred Owl (Strix varia) feathers have more vertical streaks on the belly and lack the rufous horizontal banding. Long-eared Owl feathers are smaller and more finely patterned.