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Bubo virginianus
Habitat: Dense forest, deserts, plains, and city parks.
Diet: Rodents, squirrels, minks, skunks, raccoons, porcupines, shrews, bats, birds (like other owls), and reptiles.
Reproduction: Mating takes place in late January or early February. The mating rituals of this species include the singing of love songs between the male and female. After mating, the owls will use the abandoned nest of another bird to lay a clutch of two to three eggs. Great horned owls are protective and attentive parents. Both parents will incubate the eggs and take care of the young for up to two months until they are ready to live on their own.
Physical Description: The great horned owl is widely recognized for the feather tufts on its head that resemble horns. This owl has dark under parts and a white throat. The upper parts of the owl’s body are dark brown with gray-brown mottling.
Behavior: Great horned owls are very efficient predators and have been known to take prey items 2-3 times larger than themselves. Due to a limited sense of smell they will even hunt for skunks. Like many owls, they produce pellets, which are regurgitated bits of hair and bone of its prey. Pellets are produced 6-10 hours after eating.
Conservation Status: Common
Fun Facts:
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The great horned owl spends the majority of its time hunting. |
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The great horned owl is hostile when there are young in the nest. The owl has been seen flying near intruders hooting and snapping its bill. |
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