Great Horned Owl Characteristics
The Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus, impresses with its remarkable physical features, widespread habitat, and versatile diet.
Recognized as one of the most adaptable owls, it thrives across varied environments and assumes a formidable place in the food chain.
Physical Description
Great Horned Owls exhibit a notable size with an average body length ranging from 18 to 25 inches and an impressive wingspan that typically spans from 3.3 to 4.8 feet.
The plumage of these owls can vary, though it generally consists of a mottled pattern that helps them blend into their surroundings, providing excellent camouflage.
Notably, the tufts of feathers on their head, which are often mistakenly called ears, serve as a visual cue for communication amongst the species and are referred to as plumicorns.
Habitat and Distribution
These owls are masters of adaptation and occupy a variety of habitats, including forests, deserts, and wetlands throughout North and South America.
The Great Horned Owl’s ability to live in diverse environments makes it one of the most widely distributed species of Strigidae in the Americas.
Diet and Feeding Habits
Powerful and versatile predators, Great Horned Owls have a diet that includes a wide range of prey, from small rodents and insects to large birds and mammals.
Their strong talons and nocturnal hunting skills allow them to capture and overpower prey often larger or equal in size.
More details on their feeding can be found from All About Birds and the Audubon Field Guide.
Reproduction and Lifecycle
The Great Horned Owl exhibits unique behaviors and strategies during its reproduction phases, characterized by distinct courtship rituals, egg-laying, and the growth cycle of their offspring.
Mating and Offspring
The courtship of Great Horned Owls begins with the male’s hooting call to attract a mate.
Mated pairs can form as early as January, and their bonding includes mutual preening and clapping beaks.
Nesting typically occurs in a variety of settings, from tree cavities to abandoned nests of other birds.
The female usually lays two eggs, although the clutch can range from one to four.
Their eggs are predominantly white and relatively round.
During the incubation period, which lasts about 30-37 days, the male provides food to the nesting female.
Growth and Development
After hatching, Great Horned Owl young rapidly gain weight, from approximately 30-50 grams at birth to roughly 1 kg just one month later.
The parents are attentive, with the female brooding the chicks while the male hunts.
The offspring grow swiftly, and by three weeks, they are already alert and reasonably mobile.
They’ll leave the nest for short periods when they’re around six weeks old, even though they won’t be fully fledged until they’re about nine to ten weeks.
Great Horned Owls in the wild typically have an average life span of 13 years, although longevity can increase significantly under certain conditions.