Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Identification
- Vary in colour ranging from reddish brown to grey or black and white
- underbelly is a light grey with dark bars and a white band on the upper breast
- large yellow eyes bordered with orange facial discs
- prominent ear tufts widely spaced apart, which is where the owl gets it name from
- Juvenile bird is much like the adult but they do not have eartufts
- activity generally begins at dusk, but may also be seen in the late afternoon and early morning
- They are the most commonly seen owl roosting during the day
Length: 46-63 cm
Wingspan: 101-145 cm
Weight: 32.1-88.2 oz (910-2500 g)
Habitat
The Great Horned Owl has adapted to live in many different types of climates and habitats from dense forests, deserts, and plains to forested city parks. They reside in decidious, mixed or coniferous forests, but will also live in wooded grooves within agricultural areas. They frequently seem to share the same habitat as the Red Tailed Hawk.
Food
The Great Horned Owl is considered the 'Tiger of the Woods' and eats everything, being known to eat prey as large as a porcupine. They hunt by perching or gliding slowly above the ground scoping out their prey before diving in for the kill. Rabbits and hares are their preferred form of food, but many other forms of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
* Mammalian Prey include: rodents, squirrels, mink, skunks, racoons, armadillos, porcupines, domestic cats and dogs, shrews, moles, muskrats, and bats
* Bird Prey include: all other owls (except the snowy), grouse, woodpeckers, crows, turkeys, pigeons, Red-tailed Hawk, bitterns, Great Blue Heron, ducks, swans, and gulls
* Reptilian Prey include: snakes, turtles, lizards, and young alligators
* Ambiphian Prey include: frogs, toads, and salamanders
* Other foods include: fish, large insects, scoprions, centipede, crayfish, worms, spiders, and road kill
Natural Predators of the Great Horned Owl is other Great Horned Owls, ocassionally Goshawks, and Peregrine Falcons.
* Mammalian Prey include: rodents, squirrels, mink, skunks, racoons, armadillos, porcupines, domestic cats and dogs, shrews, moles, muskrats, and bats
* Bird Prey include: all other owls (except the snowy), grouse, woodpeckers, crows, turkeys, pigeons, Red-tailed Hawk, bitterns, Great Blue Heron, ducks, swans, and gulls
* Reptilian Prey include: snakes, turtles, lizards, and young alligators
* Ambiphian Prey include: frogs, toads, and salamanders
* Other foods include: fish, large insects, scoprions, centipede, crayfish, worms, spiders, and road kill
Natural Predators of the Great Horned Owl is other Great Horned Owls, ocassionally Goshawks, and Peregrine Falcons.
Nesting
Courting:
The Great Horned Owl courts during the winter of months and is the time where they are most likely to be seen out in the open. When the sexes are close by they bow to each other with their wings dropped. They will then proceed to rub bills and preeding may occur.
Nesting:
The Great Horned Owl nests during January or February where they utilise the nests of other birds (hawks, crows, herons), but may also use squirrel nests, hollows in trees, rocky caves, and abandoned buildings. 2-4 eggs are laid which are incubated by the females for 26-35 days. Young start to roam to nearby branches at 6 to 7 weeks but cannot fly till 9-10 weeks at which time Juveniles disperse.
The Great Horned Owl courts during the winter of months and is the time where they are most likely to be seen out in the open. When the sexes are close by they bow to each other with their wings dropped. They will then proceed to rub bills and preeding may occur.
Nesting:
The Great Horned Owl nests during January or February where they utilise the nests of other birds (hawks, crows, herons), but may also use squirrel nests, hollows in trees, rocky caves, and abandoned buildings. 2-4 eggs are laid which are incubated by the females for 26-35 days. Young start to roam to nearby branches at 6 to 7 weeks but cannot fly till 9-10 weeks at which time Juveniles disperse.
Calls
'Who's Awake? Me Too!' is what the Great Horned Owl bellows into the darkness. Their call ranges from deep booming hoots to shrill shrieks. They can be heard from several miles away on a silent night. They are most often heard calling from at dawn and dusk, and will respond readily to imitations as well as to the call of the Screech Owl. Their is a noticeable difference between the male and female, with the male have a much deeper hoot.
To listen to the Great Horned Owl, click HERE!
To listen to the Great Horned Owl, click HERE!
Range/Distribution
The Great Horned Owl inhabits much of North America down from the Tundra Tree Line, as well as in Central and South America. They tend to stay in their territories year round, but those that are residents of the northern part of their range may migrate southward in the winter.
View Bird Observations Map
View Distribution Map
View Bird Observations Map
View Distribution Map
Conservation
In the wild, the Great Horned Owl lives up to an average of 13 years, with most martalities due to man (shootings, traps, road kills, and electrocutions).
It's ppopulations numbers have definatly been declining since the last century in many parts of its range due to deforestation. But, the Great Horned continues to nest even within cities where there are enough trees.
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
It's ppopulations numbers have definatly been declining since the last century in many parts of its range due to deforestation. But, the Great Horned continues to nest even within cities where there are enough trees.
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
Interesting Facts
- Only owl to east skunks on a regular basis
- The Great Horned Owl is a regular victim of Crow attacks
Want to Know More?
Check Out:
Hinterland Who's Who
http://www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=42
National Geographic
http://www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=42
Canadian Museum of Nature
http://nature.ca/notebooks/English/greathornedowl.htm
Hinterland Who's Who
http://www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=42
National Geographic
http://www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=42
Canadian Museum of Nature
http://nature.ca/notebooks/English/greathornedowl.htm