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

The Great Horned Owl is a powerful, heavily built nocturnal predator characterized by prominent ear tufts, striking yellow eyes, and a deep hooting call. It is one of the most widespread and adaptable owls in the Americas.

Mottled earthy brown, grayish-black, and buff barring, highly cryptic with subtle vermiculation typical of owl camouflage

Pennaceous at the tip transitioning to plumulaceous (fluffy) downy barbs at the base; velvety texture with specialized soft barbules for silent flight

Extremely soft, velvety, and matte finish designed for silent flight, lacking the stiff glossiness of diurnal raptor feathers

Velvety matte surface texture for silent flight, mottled gray-brown and buff barred patterning, and fluffy base barbs

Incredibly adaptable, found in forests, deserts, wetlands, urban areas, tundra edges, and agricultural fields

Widespread throughout North America, Central America, and parts of South America, from the subarctic down to the tropics

Apex nocturnal predator playing a vital role in controlling rodent and small mammal populations

Barred Owl (Strix varia) and Long-eared Owl (Asio otus); distinguished by specific barring patterns and size

Great Horned Owls are known to start nesting as early as January in North America, often taking over abandoned hawk or eagle nests

Good condition, largely intact barbs with minor wear at the base, showing natural coloration without significant fading