This majestic bird (Bubo virginianus) is also called “the tiger with wings” for being fearless in flight and in search of prey. According to the Department of Natural Resources, this avid hunter “… is one of the few animals that will kill a skunk, and it may eat more than 4,000 mice per year.”
Strong hunter & lucky charm?
Hunting – Great horned owls have strong hooked beaks and large talons for hunting prey. They are nocturnal and possess excellent night vision and hearing. These aggressive hunters use silent flight to their benefit. Though they are described as common owls of North America, they are rarely spotted due to their nocturnal habits and excellent camouflage capabilities. But is seeing one considered lucky or a curse?
Sightings – In many cultures, viewing these beautiful birds carries significance. Per Birds & Bloom, some Native American tribes “… viewed great horned owls as the returned souls of the brave, or hooted like owls as a war cry in battle.” Legends around these magnificent creatures also exist, with Ancient Romans associating the owl with the Roman goddess of wisdom, Minerva. They also believed that an owl’s call foretold imminent death. Modern day bird watchers delight in these beautiful creatures and therefore associate sightings with joyfulness.
How did it get its name?
It might surprise you to learn that great horned owls lack horns. Rather, they are named for their tufts of feathers (elongated feathers called plumicorns) that sit on their heads. It is unknown why they have them. Per National Geographic, “The tufts might help members of their own species to recognize each other among the forest around them, or they may use the tufts to blend into their surroundings, making them look more like broken tree branches than a tasty meal.”
What is the habitat?
The great horned owl is a common owl of North America. They can extend high into the subarctic of North America. They also live in South America. They can be found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and other countries in that region. Great horned owls can survive and thrive in a variety of habitats including forests, swamps, deserts, tundra, grasslands, rain forests, cities, suburbs, and even some parks! These adaptable creatures tend to nest in trees, cavities, hollows, caves, stumps and barns.
What else do they eat?
We’ve mentioned that they can eat skunks and mice – but these carnivores also enjoy a smorgasbord of other prey including other birds, small mammals, fish, rabbits and geese. They have razor-sharp talons to help pierce and cut food and sharp beaks that can tear through flesh and bones. They sometimes swallow their prey whole and then regurgitate pellets of bone, fur, or other unwanted parts.
How long do they live?
Great horned owls typically live for 20 to 30 years. The oldest to survive in captivity was about 50 years old, per Hawkmountain.org.
What is the average size of a great horned owl?
Great horned owls are considered big and bulky, standing 18 to 25 inches tall and featuring average wingspans of 4 feet.
Do great horned owls make good parents?
In the world of nature, they are considered protective and caring. They take turns incubating eggs and will hiss, scream, or strike at intruders. Fledged owls remain with their parents throughout most of the summer. They may sometimes beg for food after leaving the nest.
Do they mate for life?
Generally, most do. Hooting is likely part of their bond. Courtship offers a display of “love calls” that can be described in different terms. Females typically have voices higher in pitch than males. Click here to hear the hoots of pairs. They also have territorial hoots and other sounds.
What’s an interesting fact about them?
Great horned owls have large eyes and pupils that open widely in darkness. Their eyes don’t move in sockets, but they adapt by swiveling their heads more than 180 degrees to look in various directions.
Great horned owl summary
Seeing a great horned owl perched in the nest or deep in flight are splendid sights to behold. However, these nocturnal creatures are not readily seen, preferring to live concealed and mysterious lifestyles surrounded by nature and nighttime activities.
Interested in more articles on nature and animals? Read all about the Common Loon. (Attach internal link)
To learn more about great horned owls and other animals, check out these valuable resources:
www.nwf.org (Great Horned Owl)
www.seaworld.org (Great Horned Owl facts and Information)
www.allaboutbirds.org (Great Horned Owl Overview)
Nature is something that AMAC cares a lot about – so please join us in respecting the creatures that roam the earth and make this world truly remarkable.