Bubo virginianus

Description

The great horned owl is a large owl with a dark brown back, a white "bib," and brown bars going horizontally (left to right) across its light-colored front and on the underside of its tail (undertail). It has a black bill and orange patches around its big yellow eyes. The owl is named for tufts of feathers above its eyes that look like horns.

Voice

The great horned owl's call is "ho hoo hoo hoododo hoooooo hoo." A young great horned owl will make cat-like screeches.

Breeding

January to July

Habitat

Great horned owls live in forests, but they will go into fields to hunt.

Diet

Great horned owls eat small mammals, birds, and reptiles (like snakes).

Range

You can find this owl year-round in Canada and all of the United States.

Other Useful Information

The great horned owl is nocturnal. This means that it is most active at night.

Similar Species

The long-eared owl looks like the great horned owl, but the long-eared is much thinner and smaller than the great horned owl and the bars on its chest are vertical (up and down). It is also much less commmon.