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

A magnificent large owl with prominent ear tufts (plumicorns) and piercing yellow eyes. Its plumage is a complex mosaic of browns and greys designed for perfect camouflage against tree bark. The wingspan can reach up to 5 feet.

Mottled brown, tawny, and cream/off-white. It features heavy, irregular horizontal barring and 'vermiculation' (worm-like markings) throughout. The ventral (underside) is typically lighter than the dorsal surface.

Pennaceous throughout most of the vane with a soft, velvety fringe (fimbriae) on the edges; plumulaceous (downy) at the base (superior umbilicus) to provide insulation.

Extremely soft and velvety to the touch. The surface has a specialized 'downy' coating that dampens sound, allowing for silent flight by breaking up air turbulence.

Distinguished by the soft, 'hairy' fringe on the edges for silent flight and the specific 'vermiculated' barring pattern that is coarser than that of a Barred Owl.

Highly adaptable; found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, tundra edges, tropical rainforests, cities, and suburban parks.

Year-round resident across most of North America from the Arctic tree line south through Central and parts of South America.

Apex predator. They play a vital role in controlling populations of rodents, rabbits, and even smaller raptors. Often referred to as 'the tiger of the sky'.

Barred Owl (Strix varia) feathers have more distinct, crisp horizontal 'bars' and lack the fine vermiculation. Long-eared Owl feathers are much smaller and more slender.

The Great Horned Owl has a grip strength of approximately 300-500 psi, which is comparable to that of a Golden Eagle. They are one of the few predators that regularly hunt skunks because they have a very poor sense of smell.

Fair to Good. There is significant fraying and separation of the barbs (zipper effect) on the right side and near the base, likely due to natural wear or being found as a molted specimen.