Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Taxonomy:
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae
Subfamily: Buboninae
Genus: Bubo

Length: 18-26 in.
Weight: 3-4 lbs. (females slightly larger than males)
Wingspan: 49-62 in.

Common Names: hoot owl, big cat owl, silent tiger

Etymology: bubo (Latin) - "horned or hooting owl"; virginianus (Latin) - "from Virginia," where the first specimen was collected

Description: Great horned owls are the largest common owl in the east. They are dark brown, with a squared off head, gray mottled and streaked below, setting off the stark white throat patch. They also have prominent widely spaced ear tufts and large yellow eyes.

Flight: Silent flight as with all owls. They have great power, sometimes "bullying" their way through thick cover to get at prey. Fringing on plumage and soft feathers on feet.

Voice: Hoots. Whooo-whooo-whooooooo-who-who. Male vocalizations are more elaborate, more prolonged, richer, deeper, and more mellow than those of the female.

Habitat: A wide variety of terrain used, but densely forested regions are preferred; can be conifer, hardwood, or mixed. For roosting purposes Great Horned Owls prefer evergreens. They are often associated with red-tailed hawks and are highly territorial. Great horned owls are solitary except during mating season, although mated pairs may occupy territories year-round and long-term. Although members of a pair may remain within the same territory throughout the year, usually they roost close together only before egg-laying, and males roost close to nest only until young fledge.

Distribution: From southern Canada south, throughout the lower 48 States and into Central and South America. They have the most extensive range, widest prey base, and most variable nesting sites of any American owl.

Nesting: Like most owls, great horned owls do not make their own nests. They generally use an abandoned red-tailed hawk's nest at a height of 40-70 feet. These owls have a wider range of nest sites than any other bird in the Americas and will sometimes nest in hollows in trees, on cliffs or artificial platforms, and will lay eggs on the ground. Most nests are used for only one season, and a lack of nest maintenance often causes the nests to deteriorate. Great horned owls may start nesting as early as late November. Normally, there are two white to slightly dusty white roundly oval eggs. Incubation, by the female only, can be as short as 30 days, as long as 35. Females are able to maintain their eggs at incubating temperature near 37� C even when ambient temperature is more than 70� colder. Young great horned owls begin branching at 5 weeks, when they are almost the size of their parents. However, they are not efficient fliers until 9-10 weeks.

Food: Great horned owls are perch and pounce hunters. They dive down with wings folded and snatch prey. Their prey is usually killed instantly when grasped by great horned owl's large talons. These owls will also walk on the ground to capture small prey or wade into water to snatch a frog or fish. Great horned owl prey averages 75% mammals - rabbits, hares and also rodents, squirrels, skunks, raccoons, shrews, armadillos and bats. Only 6% birds, they will eat all other owls except snowy owls (birds are plucked before eating). Great horned owls tend to select the largest available prey, because smaller prey costs more energy then it benefits in food. They are considered nocturnal, but often hunt during the day when food requirements are difficult to meet. They eat mostly small mammals (mice, squirrels, etc.), but will also take birds, fish and reptiles. Their only preference seems to be for the largest available prey.

Baby Great Horned Owl Pictures:

Three babies	8th week