Great Horned Owl (also known as Tiger Owl)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Strigiformes, Family: Strigidae, Genus: Bubo, Species: Bubo virginianus · Strigidae (Typical Owls) · Contour feather (Body)
Species
Bubo virginianus
Feather Type
Contour feather (Body)
Family
Strigidae (Typical Owls)
Shape
Symmetrical with a rounded tip and a broad, slightly spatulate outline.
Size
Approximately 2.5 to 3.5 inches in length. This size is typical for body contour feathers found on the breast or flank of an adult Great Horned Owl.
Rarity
Common; it is the most widely distributed owl in the Americas.
Color & Pattern
Alternating thick horizontal bands of warm umber brown and creamy white/buff. The brown bands are slightly mottled. The dorsal surface is more vivid than the pale ventral underside.
Barb Structure
The upper half is pennaceous with distal barbules creating a moderately firm surface, while the lower half is highly plumulaceous (downy) for insulation. Leading edges show soft, hair-like pennulum typical of owls for silent flight.
Texture & Surface
Extremely soft and velvety to the touch with a matte finish. This texture is a specialized adaptation to muffle sound during movement.
Description
This feather features the classic 'tiger-stripe' barring of the Great Horned Owl. The bird itself is a large, powerful raptor with prominent ear tufts, deep yellow eyes, and a white throat patch. It is a formidable nocturnal hunter capable of taking prey larger than itself.
Key Features
Distinctive horizontal brown-on-cream barring combined with a velvet-like texture and a large downy base characteristic of Strigidae body feathers.
Habitat
Incredibly diverse, including deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, subarctic tundra, and urban parklands.
Geographic Range
Extensively distributed across North and South America, from the tree line in the north to the southern tip of Argentina. General resident, though northern populations may irrupt south.
Condition Notes
Good condition. Minimal wear on the tip (distal end). Some minor crushing of the plumulaceous barbs near the calamus, but no significant fault bars are visible.
Interesting Facts
Great Horned Owls have a crushing power in their talons of up to 500 psi. They are one of the few animals that regularly hunt and eat skunks because they have a very poor sense of smell.
Ecological Role
Apex predator. They control populations of rodents, skunks, and even other birds of prey. They are vital indicators of ecosystem health.
Similar Species
Long-eared Owl feathers (narrower, more streaked) and Barred Owl feathers (shades are usually cooler grey-brown and lacking the warm rufous tones).