Great Horned Owl

Scientific Name: Bubo virginianus

Order: Strigiformes (owls)

Family: Strigidae

Conservation Status

About

The great horned owl is named after its feather tufts above its ears that look like horns. The female is much larger than the male and has a higher pitched call. They get their nickname, “the tiger of the sky”, from their hunting skills and assortment of prey. They prey on a wide variety of animals- from tiny rodents to mammals and birds larger than the owls themselves. The soft, loose feathers of a horned owl allow it to fly very quietly without scaring away their prey. Paler plumage is found on those that inhabit desert areas or snowy areas.

Find me at EPZ

Location: Outside of the entrance to the sheep and goat barn.

Arrived at EPZ: Barbie - 04/19/2015; Stella - 08/03/2011 This animal is not on exhibit. It is part of our educational collection and may only be seen in programs inside or outside of the zoo.

Habitat & Range
Great horned owls are native to the Americas. They inhabit a wide variety of environments, including mixed forests, tropical rainforests, prairies, deserts, subarctic tundra and mountainous regions. They can occasionally be found in urban and suburban areas, but prefer areas with less human activity.
Identification
The great horned owl is a heavy, barrel-shaped species that varies in plumage coloration. In general, they are brown, gray or reddish in color with white interspersed on their chest. They have bright yellow eyes and despite their name, their “horns” are simply tufts of feathers atop their head. An average adult measures 22 inches long with a 49-inch wingspan and weighs approximately 3 pounds.
Diet
Great horned owls hunt by watching from a high perch, typically blending in with their surroundings due to their natural-colored plumage. Almost all prey is killed with their talons, which have 300 pounds per square inch of crushing power. Prey includes small to medium-sized mammals and rodents such as rabbits, squirrels and mice.
Reproduction & Lifespan
Great horned owls breed in late January or February, but can be heard calling to each other as early as October. Males select their mate in December by hooting and puffing up their white chest feathers. Pairs typically breed together year after year and may mate for life. Females lay an average of 2 eggs per clutch that require 28 to 37 days of incubation. Great horned owls in the wild live an average of 13 years, while the longest recorded lifespan in captivity is 38 years.
Fantastic Fact
Great horned owls are very adaptable! They are the most widely distributed owls in the Americas, even though they don’t reside in every region in the Americas.

Great Horned Owl

Conservation Status

About

Find me at EPZ

Habitat & Range

Identification

Diet

Reproduction & Lifespan

Fantastic Fact