Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Strigiformes, Family: Strigidae, Genus: Bubo, Species: Bubo virginianus
Family: Strigidae (Typical Owls)
- Shape
- Symmetrical vane with a softly rounded tip and an exceptionally loose, downy, and fluffy basal structure characteristic of silent-flight adaptations.
- Size
- Approximately 4 to 6 inches long, consistent with a large body contour or flank feather from a Great Horned Owl.
- Rarity
- Common
Found a feather like this?
Identify any feather from a photo, free.
Description
The Great Horned Owl is a powerful, heavily built nocturnal apex predator characterized by prominent ear tufts, large yellow eyes, and a deep, hooting territorial call. This specialized contour feather exhibits the velvety texture and muted coloration typical of owls, evolved to muffle the sound of air passing over the wings and body during silent nocturnal hunting flights.
Colour & Pattern
Banded and mottled with earthy tones; the distal portion features a dark charcoal-black or deep brown tip grading into lighter grayish-brown barring, while the large basal portion is whitish to pale gray.
Barb Structure
Distinctly dual-natured: the distal tip shows a dense, dark pennaceous structure, while the extensive lower portion is highly plumulaceous (loose, hair-like barbs lacking interlocking barbicels), providing exceptional thermal insulation and softness.
Texture & Surface
Extremely soft, velvety, and matte in texture, lacking any glossy sheen, which helps absorb light and dampen sound during flight.
Key Features
Velvety, matte surface texture, extensive fluffy plumulaceous base taking up the majority of the feather length, and a dark, mottled distal tip.
Habitat
Inhabits an exceptionally wide variety of habitats including deciduous and evergreen forests, deserts, wetlands, tundra edges, agricultural areas, and urban parks.
Geographic Range
Widespread throughout the Americas, ranging from the subarctic regions of North America down through Central America and deep into South America.
Ecological Role
Acts as a top apex nocturnal predator, keeping populations of rodents, rabbits, and other small to medium-sized mammals and birds in balance.
Similar Species
Barred Owl (Strix varia) or Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus), distinguished by different barring patterns and lighter or darker base coloration.
Interesting Facts
Great Horned Owls possess asymmetrical ear placement for pinpointing prey in total darkness and can exert a crushing foot pressure of over 300 pounds per square inch.
Condition Notes
Good condition; barbs are intact with minor natural separation at the fluffy base, showing no major fraying, fault bars, or parasite damage.