Great Horned Owl (Hoot Owl, Tiger Owl)

The Great Horned Owl is a powerful, heavy-bodied apex nocturnal predator characterized by prominent facial tufts resembling horns, large yellow eyes, and a deep, booming hoot. Its plumage is a mottled mix of gray, brown, black, and buff, providing exceptional camouflage against tree bark.

Striking buff-orange background with bold, dark brown to black horizontal barring and chevron markings. The rachis is pale tan, matching the lighter bands.

Pennaceous at the distal tip transitioning rapidly into a dense, plumulaceous base with loose, velvety barbs lacking strict hooklets near the lower shaft, contributing to the silent flight adaptation of owls.

Extremely soft, velvety, and matte in texture with no gloss, helping to absorb sound during flight. The base is downy and fluffy.

Bold dark brown barring and chevron patterns on a rich buff or tawny background, combined with an exceptionally soft, velvety texture and a downy base.

Extremely adaptable, found in deciduous, evergreen, and mixed forests, deserts, wetlands, agricultural areas, tundra edges, and even urban and suburban parks.

Widespread throughout the Americas, ranging from the subarctic tree line of North America down through Central America and deep into South America.

As apex nocturnal raptors, they play a critical role in controlling populations of rodents, rabbits, skunks, and even other birds of prey, maintaining ecological balance.

Barred Owl (Strix varia) and Long-eared Owl (Asio otus). Barred Owls feature more streaked breast feathers rather than bold horizontal barring, while Long-eared Owls are smaller and more finely patterned.

Great Horned Owls are among the earliest nesting birds in North America, often laying eggs in the dead of winter (January or February). They have a bite force of over 300 psi and can rotate their heads 270 degrees.

Good condition, with intact barbs at the tip showing minor wear but no major breakage or parasitic damage.