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Likely Great Horned Owl; also called Tiger Owl or Hoot Owl.
Likely a wing or tail feather; exact tract and feather position cannot be determined from the image.

Likely Great Horned Owl; also called Tiger Owl or Hoot Owl.

Kingdom Animalia; Phylum Chordata; Class Aves; Order Strigiformes; Family Strigidae; Genus Bubo; Species Bubo virginianus.

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Family: Strigidae (typical owls).

Shape
Broad, rounded tip and tapered base, with a somewhat asymmetric vane suggesting a flight feather.
Size
No scale is provided; appears roughly 15–20 cm long, but image-based measurement is uncertain.
Learn more about Likely Great Horned Owl; also called Tiger Owl or Hoot Owl. in the encyclopedia →

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Description

A barred brown feather consistent with an owl, possibly from a Great Horned Owl, a large, adaptable predator with ear tufts, prominent yellow eyes, and a deep hooting call.

Colour & Pattern

Warm brown with cream/tan crossbars and mottling; the rachis is pale. The pattern resembles an owl feather, but is shared by several species.

Barb Structure

Mostly pennaceous, with loose, fluffy barbs near the base. Owl flight feathers often have specialized soft, fringed edges, but those details are not clearly resolved here.

Rachis & Barb Pattern

Straight, pale central shaft; alternating dark and light bars cross the vanes, which appear denser toward the rounded end.

Texture & Surface

Matte, softly mottled surface; basal barbs are fluffy and the distal vane appears smoother.

Feather Placement

Possibly wing or tail; shape and barred pattern fit either, and the photograph does not show enough detail to distinguish them.

Key Features

Rounded tip, pale-and-brown barring, and a fluffy base; none is unique enough to confirm species from this image alone.

Habitat

Great Horned Owls use forests, woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, deserts, and urban parks, nesting in trees or taking over existing nests.

Geographic Range

Resident across much of North and Central America, from Canada to parts of South America; local movements are generally limited.

Ecological Role

As a top predator, the Great Horned Owl helps regulate mammals and birds. It remains widespread, though habitat change, collisions, and contaminants can affect local populations.

Similar Species

Barred Owl, Long-eared Owl, and other large owls can have similarly banded feathers; exact pattern, size, and feather tract are needed to separate them.

Interesting Facts

Great Horned Owls hunt a remarkably broad range of prey and can take animals larger than many other owls pursue.

Cultural Significance

Owl feathers have appeared in art and cultural practices, but possession and trade may be restricted by wildlife laws; do not collect or sell without checking local regulations.

Field Identification Tips

Photograph both sides beside a ruler and record where it was found; compare with verified feather references. Avoid disturbing nests or collecting protected bird feathers.

Condition Notes

Appears intact overall, with loose basal barbs; no obvious severe breakage or staining. Condition: good.