Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)

The Great Horned Owl is a powerful and adaptable nocturnal apex predator known for its prominent ear tufts, piercing yellow eyes, and deep hooting call.

Rich earthy brown and grayish-white barring, highly cryptic pattern typical of nocturnal raptors.

Plumulaceous and velvety near the base grading into pennaceous structure toward the tip, featuring specialized soft edges characteristic of owl feathers for silent flight.

Extremely soft, velvety, and matte in texture with no gloss, adapted for sound-dampening flight.

Soft velvety texture, mottled brown and white barring, and absence of stiff noisy edges.

Inhabits a diverse range of habitats including deciduous and evergreen forests, deserts, swamps, tundra, and urban areas.

Widespread throughout North America, Central America, and South America.

Apex nocturnal predator that helps regulate populations of small to medium-sized mammals and birds.

Barred Owl (Strix varia) and Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus), distinguished by larger size and distinct bar pattern.

Great Horned Owls are capable of exerting a crushing foot force of over 300 pounds per square inch, comparable to the bite force of a large dog.

Good condition with minor wear at the distal tip and slight fraying of the plumulaceous barbs near the base.