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 rounded with a highly symmetrical vane; the tip appears blunt and slightly flared, typical of body feathers that overlap for insulation.
- Size
- Approximately 4 to 5 inches in length. This is consistent with the larger body contour feathers found on the flank or upper legs of a large owl species.
- Rarity
- Common; they are the most widely distributed owl in the Americas and are frequently encountered by those looking/listening at dusk.
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Description
A magnificent large raptor known for its distinctive ear tufts and deep, rhythmic hooting. The Great Horned Owl has a bulky barrel-shaped body, a white throat patch, and a mottled camouflage plumage of brown, gray, and buff designed to blend perfectly with tree bark.
Colour & Pattern
Base color is a warm tawny or ochre yellow. It features distinct transverse dark brown to blackish bars (banding) across the vane. The very tip shows a lighter whitish-buff edge beyond the final dark band.
Barb Structure
Plumulaceous (downy) for the majority of the feather length to provide insulation, becoming pennaceous (compact) only at the very distal tip. The barbs are extremely fine and soft with velvet-like pile (fimbriae) that reduces noise during movement.
Texture & Surface
Extremely soft, silky, and matte. Owl feathers lack the waxy coating found on many birds, allowing for a soft 'felt' texture that absorbs sound, facilitating silent flight and movement.
Key Features
Tawny/ochre base color; distinct dark transverse banding; extremely high proportion of plumulaceous (fluffy) barbs; velvet-like silent flight texture.
Habitat
Found in a vast array of habitats including deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, subalpine meadows, agricultural areas, and urban parks.
Geographic Range
Widely distributed throughout North and South America, from the northern tree line in Alaska and Canada through Central America and down to the tip of South America.
Ecological Role
Top-tier apex predator that controls populations of rodents, rabbits, and even other birds of prey. They are vital for maintaining ecological balance in varied environments.
Similar Species
Long-eared Owl feathers (narrower, more vertical streaking), Barred Owl (cooler gray-brown tones, different banding frequency), and Great Gray Owl (larger, grayer).
Interesting Facts
Great Horned Owls can apply up to 28 pounds of pressure with their talons, roughly ten times the grip strength of a human. They are also one of the few predators that regularly hunt skunks, as they have a very poor sense of smell.
Condition Notes
The feather appears to be a naturally molted specimen in good condition, though the vane tip shows slight mechanical wear and separation typical of a bird moving through brush.