Great Horned Owl (Tiger Owl, Hoot Owl)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Strigiformes, Family: Strigidae, Genus: Bubo, Species: Bubo virginianus · Strigidae (Typical Owls) · Contour (Body feather)
Species
Bubo virginianus
Feather Type
Contour (Body feather)
Family
Strigidae (Typical Owls)
Shape
Symmetrical with a rounded, blunt tip; broad and slightly spatulate outline.
Size
Approximately 2.5 to 3.5 inches in length. This is a medium-sized contour feather typical for the flank or lower breast of a large owl species.
Rarity
Common and widespread, though the birds are nocturnal and more often heard than seen.
Color & Pattern
Distinctive horizontal banding with two bold, crisp white bars alternating with dark charcoal-brown and a warm buff-taupe base. The banding is characteristic of the 'barred' appearance of an owl's underparts.
Barb Structure
Highly plumulaceous (downy) at the base for insulation, transitioning to a pennaceous structure at the tip. Features specialized velvet-like soft barbules for silent movement.
Texture & Surface
Extremely soft, silky, and matte. Lacks the oily coating of waterbirds; features a 'velvety' surface typical of owls to reduce air turbulence and enable silent flight.
Description
This is a soft body feather from the Great Horned Owl, a powerful predator known for its tufted 'horns' and yellow eyes. The bird is a large raptor with a wingspan of 3-5 feet. Its plumage is a mottled mix of brown, grey, and white designed for camouflage against tree bark.
Key Features
Sharp, high-contrast white banding and extremely high density of downy fluff at the base. The 'fuzzy' texture of the pennaceous section is a diagnostic owl trait.
Habitat
Extremely versatile; found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, subalpine areas, and urban parks/residential areas.
Geographic Range
Resident throughout North America from the Arctic tree line south to Central and South America. Non-migratory.
Condition Notes
Good condition. The feather appears freshly molted with intact barbs and no significant sun bleaching or parasitic damage.
Interesting Facts
Great Horned Owls can apply 200 to 500 pounds per square inch of pressure with their talons. They are one of the few predators that regularly hunt skunks, as they have a very poor sense of smell.
Ecological Role
Apex nocturnal predator; controls populations of rodents, rabbits, and other birds. They occupy a wide range of niches as ecological generalists.
Similar Species
Barred Owl (Strix varia) feathers have similar banding but are usually more brown/cream and less crisp. Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) feathers are smaller and more intricately streaked.