Great Horned Owl
ExploreBird
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
The Great Horned Owl is a strong and powerful bird with tufted ears that look like horns! It can be found in many different places and loves to hunt at night.
Habitat: Forests, deserts, and urban areas
Appearance
The Great Horned Owl is a large, powerful owl with prominent ear tufts resembling horns and striking yellow eyes. It has mottled grayish-brown plumage, a white throat patch, and horizontal barring on its chest, providing excellent camouflage.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderStrigiformesFamilyStrigidaeGenusBubo
Category
BirdRarity
Common
Danger
2/5
Snaps
30
Interesting facts
An owlet's first flight is called fledging, and it's a clumsy, wobbly adventure!
Great Horned Owls often steal nests from hawks or squirrels, instead of building their own.
Their powerful grip is strong enough to crush the bones of small animals.
They can hunt and eat skunks without being bothered by their defensive spray!
Special abilities
Ability
Silent Flight
Great Horned Owl has specialized feather fringes that help them fly almost silently, allowing them to surprise prey.
Ability
Extreme Head Rotation
Great Horned Owl can rotate its head nearly 270 degrees because its eyes are fixed, allowing a very wide field of view.
Ability
Pinpoint Hearing
Great Horned Owl has asymmetrically placed ear openings that help them pinpoint sounds with extreme accuracy, even in darkness.
Ability
Crushing Talons
Great Horned Owl has incredibly strong talons that help them grasp and carry prey much heavier than themselves.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 46-63 cm
- Wingspan
- 101-153 cm
- Weight
- 0.9-2.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 13-19 years
- Top Speed
- 60 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 1-5
- Incubation
- 30-37 days
Diet & Feeding
These fierce hunters eat almost any animal they can catch, from tiny mice to large hares!
Age differences: Young owlets are fed by parents; juveniles learn to hunt by practicing on smaller prey.
Primary Foods
- rodents
- rabbits
- skunks
- birds
- snakes
- large insects
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
hunts
Eastern Cottontail
Sylvilagus floridanus
A frequent and important food source for owls.
hunts
Striped Skunk
Mephitis mephitis
One of the only predators that regularly eats skunks.
depends on
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Often reuses their abandoned nests for raising owlets.
eaten by
Coyote
Canis latrans
Juvenile or injured owls can sometimes fall prey to them.
Traits
Wildlife
Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!
Feathered
These are animals covered in soft, beautiful feathers that help them fly, stay warm, and even attract mates! Think of all the amazing birds you know.
Solitary
Meet animals that enjoy their independence! These creatures prefer to live by themselves, finding food and shelter on their own.
Ambush Predator
Meet masters of surprise! These clever hunters hide quietly and wait patiently for their prey to come close before pouncing with a quick move.
Forest
These lush habitats are filled with countless trees, offering homes to a huge variety of plants and animals! Immerse yourself in the green canopy.
Carnivorous
Discover fierce hunters and clever predators that get all their energy from eating other animals. They play a vital role in keeping nature's balance.
Urban Friendly
Spot amazing living things that thrive right alongside us in cities and towns, finding homes in parks, gardens, and even cracks in pavements.
Nocturnal
Explore the secret world of animals that come alive at night! They are wide awake when it's dark, using their amazing senses to find food and play.
Also known as
Cat OwlTiger Owl
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5
Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Great Horned Owl?
46-63 cm
What is Great Horned Owl's wingspan?
101-153 cm
How much does Great Horned Owl weigh?
0.9-2.5 kg
How long does Great Horned Owl live?
13-19 years
How fast can Great Horned Owl move?
60 km/h
What does Great Horned Owl eat?
These fierce hunters eat almost any animal they can catch, from tiny mice to large hares!
Where is Great Horned Owl usually found?
Forests, deserts, and urban areas
How does Great Horned Owl hunt?
Ambush
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
Where to spot
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Illinois, US
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Illinois, US
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Zoo24 sightings18 species
North Dakota, US
Dakota Zoo
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Zoo27 sightings18 species
Maryland, US
The Maryland Zoo
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