Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owl

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

Found from the Arctic tundra to the tropical rainforest, from the desert to suburban backyards, the Great Horned Owl is one of the most widespread and common owls in North America.

Description

• Large owl.
• Prominent ear tufts widely spaced on head.

• Size: 46-63 cm (18-25 in)
• Wingspan: 101-145 cm (40-57 in)
• Weight: 910-2500 g (32.12-88.25 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes alike in plumage; female larger.

Sound

Call a deep hooting "hoo-h'HOO--hoo-hoo." Young make a loud, raspy screech.

Conservation Status

Not endangered; populations robust. Individuals may be threats to endangered species.

Other Names

Grand-duc d'Amérique (French)
Búsho cornudo (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The Great Horned Owl is the only animal that regularly eats skunks.

• The Great Horned Owl will take large prey, even other raptorial birds. It regularly kills and eats other owls, and is an important predator on nestling Ospreys. The reintroduction of Peregrine Falcons has been hampered in some areas by owls killing both adult and nestling falcons.

• The Great Horned Owl is a regular victim of harassment from flocks of American Crows. Crows congregate from long distances to mob owls, and may continue yelling at them for hours. The enmity of the crows is well earned, however, as the owl is probably the most important predator on adult crows and nestlings.

• Even though the female Great Horned Owl is larger than her mate, the male has a deeper voice. Pairs often call together, with audible differences in pitch.

Sources used to construct this page:

Houston, C. S., D. G. Smith, and C. Rohner. 1998. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus). In The Birds of North America, No. 372 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.