GREAT HORNED OWL GALLERY
(Bubo virginianus)
eBird describes the Great Horned Owl this way: Large and widespread owl with distinctive ear tufts. Found in a variety of habitats from dense woods to prairie and deserts with at least some trees. Also, found in wooded towns and suburbs. Typically well-camouflaged dark brown overall, but varies in color. Often engages in haunting duets, with males and females hooting back and forth. Preys upon a variety of animals, including mammals, birds and reptiles.
I had the opportunity to get up close and personal with a Great Horned Owl at the Houston Audubon Raptor Education Center on the morning of May 22, 2020. I enjoyed the experience, and look forward to searching for this magnificent bird in the wild.
“Cool Facts” About the Great Horned Owl From All About Birds…
- Great Horned Owls are fierce predators that can take large prey, including raptors such as Ospreys, Peregrine Falcons, Prairie Falcons, and other owls. They also eat much smaller items such as rodents, frogs, and scorpions.
- When clenched, a Great Horned Owl’s strong talons require a force of 28 pounds to open. The owls use this deadly grip to sever the spine of large prey.
- If you hear an agitated group of cawing American Crows, they may be mobbing a Great Horned Owl. Crows may gather from near and far and harass the owl for hours. The crows have good reason, because the Great Horned Owl is their most dangerous predator.
- Even though the female Great Horned Owl is larger than her mate, the male has a larger voice box and a deeper voice. Pairs often call together, with audible differences in pitch.
- Great Horned Owls are covered in extremely soft feathers that insulate them against the cold winter weather and help them fly very quietly in pursuit of prey. Their short, wide wings allow them to maneuver among the trees of the forest.
- Great Horned Owls have large eyes, pupils that open widely in the dark, and retinas containing many rod cells for excellent night vision. Their eyes don’t move in their sockets, but they can swivel their heads more than 180 degrees to look in any direction. They also have sensitive hearing, thanks in part to facial disc feathers that direct sound waves to their ears.
- The oldest Great Horned Owl on record was at least 28 years old when it was found in Ohio in 2005.
Early on the morning of June 23, 2020, found me driving toward the Laguna Atascosa NWR when I spotted a Great Horned owl. All I could see in the early morning light was the silhouette of the bird, but it was a thrill none-the-less, and perhaps a good omen for a productive day of birding! For details of the trip that included spotting this bird, look here.
Early on the morning of January 4, 2021 found me at Choke Canyon State Park (Calliham Unit) heading for a megatick (Spotted Rail) at the 75 Acre Lake. I spotted something unusual in a tree and I stopped my car to investigate. It was a beautiful Great Horned Owl! He let me visit with him for about ten minutes, and it was one of the best ten minutes of my life! Here is a picture of my new friend. By the way, for details of the trip that included my visit with the Great Horned Owl, look here.
A little before 7:00 a.m. on the morning of Sunday, June 5, 2022, I was riding my bike on Wosnig Rd (1/2 mile from Highway 78 intersection) when I spotted a Great Horned Owl perched on the lower left arm of one of the large steel high line towers. I watched this bird for about 15 minutes before it flew to a nearby tree that was further from the road. He perched in the tree for just a few minutes before he flew again, headed west away from the road and my observation point. This is the first time I have seen this bird near my home, and I was delighted! Since Sibley lists the Great Horned Owl as “uncommon, but widespread” I decided to submit an ebird checklist on the sighting.
On the morning of Sunday, August 27, 2023, I watched and photographed a Great Horned Owl while visiting the Piquiri Lodge in the Pantanal Region of Brazil. Below is one of the photos I took of that beautiful bird.
