Great Horned Owl (also known as Tiger Owl or Hoot Owl)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Strigiformes, Family: Strigidae, Genus: Bubo, Species: Bubo virginianus
Family: Strigidae (Typical Owls)
- Shape
- Broadly spatulate with a rounded tip; mostly symmetrical vane indicative of body placement rather than flight.
- Size
- Estimated 4.5 to 6 inches in length. This is standard for a large body contour feather from a bulky raptor like the Great Horned Owl.
- Rarity
- Common and widespread throughout its range, though rarely seen during the day due to nocturnal habits.
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Description
The Great Horned Owl is a large, powerful raptor with prominent ear tufts and piercing yellow eyes. Its plumage is a complex mosaic of mottled browns, greys, and blacks, designed for camouflage. This specific feather reflects the intricate 'tiger-stripe' barring found on the bird's underside, which breaks up its silhouette against tree bark.
Colour & Pattern
Base color is a creamy white to pale buff. It features distinct transverse horizontal banding (bars) of umber or dark brown. The lower half transitions into a soft, monochromatic slate-grey down.
Barb Structure
Highly specialized. The proximal (base) portion is plumulaceous (donwy) for insulation, while the distal portion is pennaceous with a velvet-like 'fringe' of soft barbules that dampen sound.
Texture & Surface
Extremely soft and velvety to the touch. It has a matte finish with a characteristic 'silent' texture, lacking the stiff, glossy surface found in diurnal raptors like hawks.
Key Features
Soft, muted horizontal brown bars on a buff background; downy grey base; velvety texture; rounded typical 'owl' shape.
Habitat
Highly adaptable; found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, subalpine tundra, and suburban areas/city parks.
Geographic Range
Year-round resident across most of North and South America, ranging from the subarctic tree line in Alaska and Canada south to the tip of South America.
Ecological Role
Apex nocturnal predator. They control populations of rodents, rabbits, and even other medium-sized raptors. Their presence indicates a healthy, diverse food web.
Similar Species
Long-eared Owl (smaller, different barring), Barred Owl (more vertical streaking on belly, though flank feathers can look similar), and Great Grey Owl (typically has finer, more grey-toned barring).
Interesting Facts
Great Horned Owls are capable of taking down prey much larger than themselves, including skunks, and have a grip strength of up to 300 pounds per square inch.
Condition Notes
Good condition. The barbs are somewhat separated (unzipped), likely due to handling or environmental exposure, but there is no evidence of parasitic damage or significant UV bleaching.