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

A large, powerful owl with prominent ear tufts and a white throat patch. The feather reflects the owl's cryptic plumage, which allows it to vanish against tree bark during the day.

Mottled brown and grayish-brown base with distinct broad, horizontal dark brown bars; warm buff or ochre-colored wash in the lighter inter-spaces.

Pennaceous structure with specialized velvet-like pile on the dorsal surface and fimbriate (comb-like) edges on the leading vane to dampen sound.

Incredibly soft and velvety to the touch (silky), with a matte finish. The surface is designed for silent flight by breaking up air turbulence.

Soft velvety texture (sound-dampening), broad dark barring, and warm buff coloration in the light gaps.

Highly adaptable: found in deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, deserts, agricultural areas, and even suburban parks or urban areas.

Year-round resident across most of North America, from the subarctic regions of Canada and Alaska down through Central America to parts of South America.

Apex nocturnal predator; controls populations of rodents, rabbits, and other birds. Listed as 'Least Concern' by the IUCN.

Long-eared Owl (smaller, thinner bars), Barred Owl (cooler gray tones, less buff/ochre), and Great Gray Owl (larger, more uniform gray-brown).

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 and eat skunks due to their poor sense of smell.

Fair to Good. There is significant 'zipper' separation of the barbs (venting) and some wear on the distal edges, likely from a natural molt or impact.