Great Horned Owl (also known as Tiger Owl or Hoot Owl)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Strigiformes, Family: Strigidae, Genus: Bubo, Species: Bubo virginianus
Family: Strigidae (Typical Owls)
- Shape
- Broad and somewhat symmetrical with rounded tips. The vanes are flat and wide, designed for steering and stability rather than the high-asymmetry found in primary flight feathers.
- Size
- Approximately 7 to 9 inches (18-23 cm) in length. This is consistent with the tail feathers of a large female or male Great Horned Owl, which typically range from 17 to 25 cm.
- Rarity
- Common; it is one of the most widespread and successful birds of prey in the Americas.
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Description
These feathers belong to the apex nocturnal predator of North America. The Great Horned Owl is a large, bulky bird with prominent 'horns' (ear tufts), a white throat patch, and piercing yellow eyes. Its plumage is a masterpiece of camouflage, mimicking the textures of bark and shadows.
Colour & Pattern
Mottled ochre-buff base (cinnamon/tawny) with heavy, dark brown to blackish horizontal barring. The pattern is irregular and 'tiger-striped,' which provides excellent camouflage against tree bark.
Barb Structure
Pennaceous at the top with a distinctively soft, velvet-like 'fringe' or 'fuzz' on the surface. Base of the feather shows plumulaceous (downy) barbs for insulation. Highly specialized with microscopic filaments that muffle sound.
Texture & Surface
Extremely soft and velvety to the touch. The surface has a matte appearance due to 'fimbriae' (hair-like extensions) that break up airflow and reduce noise during flight.
Key Features
Broad horizontal dark barring on a tawny/buff background; soft, silken texture unique to owls; rounded tips and lack of a glossy finish.
Habitat
Extremely adaptable: found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, tundra edges, tropical rainforests, cities, and suburban parks.
Geographic Range
Year-round resident throughout most of North America, from the subarctic boreal forests to Central and parts of South America.
Ecological Role
Top-tier predator; regulates populations of rodents, rabbits, and even other birds of prey. They are vital ecological indicators of forest health.
Similar Species
Barred Owl (Strix varia) feathers have more vertical streaking on the body but similar tail banding; however, Barred Owl bands are usually cleaner and more grayish-brown rather than the rich tawny-buff of the Great Horned.
Interesting Facts
Great Horned Owls can exert over 300 pounds per square inch of pressure with their talons. They are one of the few animals that regularly prey on skunks, as they have a very poor sense of smell.
Condition Notes
Good to Fair. There is some minor separation of the barbs ('zipper' failure) near the edges and some wear at the tips, suggesting these may be naturally molted feathers at the end of a season.