Great Horned Owl (Hoot Owl, Tiger Owl)

The Great Horned Owl is a powerful, heavily built nocturnal predator known for its prominent ear tufts, piercing yellow eyes, and deep, resonant hooting call. It is one of the most widespread and adaptable owls in the Americas, capable of taking prey as large as skunks, hares, and even other raptors.

Intricate earth-toned barred pattern featuring shades of dark brown, tan, ochre, and whitish-grey mottling. The distal tip shows distinct dark brown transverse barring over a warm buff and grey background.

Pennaceous at the distal tip with tightly interlocked barbicels, transitioning into a loose, plumulaceous/semiplume structure at the base with soft, downy barbs lacking firm hooklets.

Extremely soft and velvety texture. The absence of stiff interlocking barbs at the edges provides the signature silent flight adaptation typical of owl body plumage.

Distinctive barred earth-tone pattern of brown, buff, and grey combined with an exceptionally soft, downy-based structure designed for silent movement.

Incredibly adaptable, found in a vast array of habitats including deciduous, evergreen, and mixed forests, deserts, swamps, tundra, agricultural areas, and urban parks.

Widespread throughout the Americas, ranging from the subarctic regions of Canada and Alaska down through the United States, Central America, and deep into South America.

Apex nocturnal predator serving a critical role in regulating populations of rodents, rabbits, and other small mammals, thereby maintaining ecosystem balance.

Barred Owl (Strix varia) and Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus), which feature similar cryptic brownish barring but differ in exact coloration, size, and feather microstructure.

Great Horned Owls are the earliest nesting birds in North America, often beginning incubation in January or February. Their ear tufts are not actually ears at all, but display feathers used for communication and camouflage.

Good condition, showing intact barbs and a clean, unfaded pattern with minimal wear at the tip.