Great Horned Owl (also known as Tiger Owl or Hoot Owl)

A large, powerful owl with prominent ear tufts. This feather reflects the owl's camouflaged plumage, designed to blend into bark. The bird itself has a wingspan of up to 5 feet and is known for its deep 'hoo-h'hoo-hoo-hoo' call.

Mottled brown and tawny-buff horizontal banding on a cream base. The dorsal surface shows distinct 'tiger' striping, while the ventral side is paler and more matte.

Mix of pennaceous (interlocked) distal half and long, fluffy plumulaceous (downy) proximal half. Features fine, hair-like extensions (fimbriae) on barbs for silent flight.

Extremely soft, velvet-like, and matte. The surface is designed to absorb sound rather than reflect it, lacking the glossy waterproofing found in waterbirds.

Distinctive fine horizontal 'tiger' banding, velvety texture, and a dense, shaggy downy base typical of Strigidae.

Highly adaptable: found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, subarctic tundra, and urban parks/orchards.

Year-round resident across North and South America, ranging from the tree line in the Arctic to the southern tip of South America.

Apex predator; controls populations of rodents, skunks, and hares. They are early nesters, often taking over old hawk or crow nests in mid-winter.

Long-eared Owl (smaller, finer markings) and Barred Owl (markings are usually vertical on the belly rather than horizontal).

Great Horned Owls have a crushing power in their talons of up to 500 PSI, which is enough to break the spine of large prey like skunks or even other raptors.

Good condition; minor fraying at the tip suggests it may have been molted naturally rather than pulled. No significant sun-bleaching visible.