Great Horned Owl (Hoot Owl, Tiger Owl)

This is a large, sturdy flight feather from one of the world's most versatile raptors. The Great Horned Owl is known for its prominent ear tufts and deep, booming hoots. They are powerful predators with a wingspan of up to 5 feet.

Base color of warm buff to tan with approximately 6-8 thick, dark chocolate brown horizontal bars. The ventral side is paler and more matte. Mottling occurs between the bars, especially near the rachis.

Densely packed pennaceous barbs with a specialized velvety 'velutinous' surface; the leading edge (outer vane) features a soft, comb-like fringe (fimbriae) to reduce turbulence for silent flight.

Extremely soft, silky, and downy to the touch. It has a matte, non-reflective appearance designed to absorb light and sound, typical of nocturnal predators.

Soft fringing on the leading edge for silent flight, warm buff-colored base, distinct dark banding, and a velvety 'felt' texture on the surface of the vane.

Extremely adaptable; found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, agricultural areas, and suburban parks or orchards.

Year-round resident throughout North and South America, ranging from the Arctic tree line in Alaska/Canada down to the southern tip of South America.

Apex predator; controls populations of rodents, rabbits, and even other birds of prey. They play a vital role in maintaining the balance of local small mammal populations.

Long-eared Owl feathers are much smaller and more slender; Barred Owl feathers lack the warm buff/orange tones and have more distinct, clean white-and-brown barring.

Great Horned Owls can apply up to 300 pounds per square inch of pressure with their talons. They are the only bird that regularly preys upon skunks, as they have a very poor sense of smell.

Good to Excellent; the barbs are mostly intact with minimal fraying. Slight wear at the tip suggests it was a molted feather from an adult bird during its annual fall molt.