Great Horned Owl, also known as the Tiger Owl or Hoot Owl

A powerful, apex avian predator characterized by large 'ear tufts' and piercing yellow eyes. This feather reflects the owl's heavy, mottled plumage designed for camouflage against tree bark. The bird has a wingspan of up to 5 feet and is famous for its deep, resonant four-to-five note hooting call.

Mottled ochre, tawny, and cream base with distinct, irregular dark brown transverse bars. Distal bars are more defined, while the proximal area (near the base) is lighter and more downy. The underside is paler than the upper surface.

Densely pennaceous with specialized velvety down (flutings) on the dorsal surface. The leading edge (outer vane) features characteristic fimbriae or 'comb' structures to break up air turbulence.

Extremely soft, velvety, and matte. The surface lacks the glossy, waterproof coating found in waterfowl, sacrificing water-resistance for acoustics. The trailing edge is distinctly fringed and hair-like.

Soft velvety texture, rounded tip, dark brown transverse banding on a buff background, and fine hair-like 'comb' fimbriae on the leading edge.

Incredibly versatile resident of deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, tundra edges, urban parks, and orchards. Prefers areas with open spaces for hunting adjacent to woodlots for nesting.

Widely distributed across North and South America, ranging from the subarctic treeline in Alaska and Canada south to the tip of South America. Generally a non-migratory permanent resident.

Top-tier predator that controls populations of rodents, rabbits, and even other birds of prey. Their presence is an indicator of a healthy, diverse small-mammal population in the ecosystem.

Long-eared Owl (smaller, thinner bars), Barred Owl (more consistent horizontal barring, lack of ochre/orange tones), and Great Gray Owl (larger, grayer, lacks the tawny-orange base).

Great Horned Owls are one of the few predators that regularly hunt skunks, as they have a very poor sense of smell. They can exert over 300 pounds per square inch of pressure with their talons.

Fair to Good. There is significant 'zippering' or parting of the barbs (malformed vanes) near the tip and base, likely due to mechanical wear or handling. The calamus is intact, suggesting a naturally molted specimen.