Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus

Habitat:	Prefers mature woods, but can be found in almost every type of habitat from deserts to parks.

Range:	North America, Central America, and into South America East of the Andes to Argentina except the Amazon.

Voice:	A booming, "Whoo whoo whoo whooooo whooo-whoooo..."

Identification:	Length: 22 - 25 inches Wingspan: 50 - 60 inches Weight: 3 - 4 lbs This is the only large owl in North America that has ear tufts. Its eyes are yellow and it has a white throat. The facial disk is normally dark rust to brownish in color and is bordered by black. Upperparts are mottled brown, gray, and black while its underparts are pale with fine brown horizontal bars.

Diet:		The Great Horned Owl has a varied diet but prefers small to medium sized mammals and is especially fond of rabbits and skunks. Will also catch birds as large as geese, reptiles, fish, insects, and almost anything else it can get its powerful talons on. It will even feed on smaller owls.

Nest:	Usually begins nesting in February and uses stick nests of other birds such as hawks and crows as well as hollow trees and cliff cavities. Normally lays between 1 and 4 eggs. The incubation period lasts 30 - 35 days and the young fledge between 35 - 42 days when they leave the nest to climb onto nearby branches. The young will not be able to fly well until they are 10 weeks old. Parent may take care of the young until they are 5 months old.

Comments:	The Great Horned Owl can be ferrocious during the breeding season. It will attack any predators, including humans. In facts, it is recorded to be the only owl that has killed a human.