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

A magnificent large owl with prominent ear tufts and a white throat bib. This feather showcases the intricate camouflage that allows the owl to vanish against tree bark during the day. Their silent flight is enabled by the specialized soft edges seen on this specimen.

Mottled and barred with dark umber brown, buffy-orange, and grayish-white. Strong horizontal banding (barring) interspersed with fine vermiculation (worm-like markings).

Pennaceous distal portion with a velutinous (velvety) surface; plumulaceous (downy) base. Features a soft, fringed leading edge (fimbriae) to break up airflow.

Extremely soft, silky, and matte. The dorsal surface has a fine pile or 'fuzz' that dampens sound, while the ventral surface is smooth and slightly glossy.

Heavy dark barring combined with fine gray vermiculation; velvet-like texture; soft 'fimbriae' on the edges; buff-orange wash at the base/inner vane.

Highly adaptable: found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, orchards, agricultural areas, and even suburban parks or desert canyons.

Common year-round resident across North and South America, ranging from the Arctic treeline south to the Straits of Magellan.

Apex predator; controls populations of rodents, rabbits, and even other birds of prey. Considered a top-tier indicator of ecosystem health.

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

Great Horned Owls have a crushing power in their talons of up to 500 psi. They are one of the few predators that regularly hunt skunks because they have a poor sense of smell.

Good; shows some minor ruffling at the tip and separation of the barbs near the base, likely a naturally molted feather from a healthy adult.