Home, near and far.
The Great Horned Owl is found throughout most of North America and extends south into Central and South America, reaching as far as Tierra del Fuego.
Birds Heard
FIELD GUIDE
FIELD GUIDE
Owls
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
The Great Horned Owl, *Bubo virginianus*, is a formidable and widespread owl species native to the Americas. This adaptable raptor is easily identified by its prominent feathered tufts, often mistaken for ears, and its deep, resonant hoot. It is a powerful nocturnal hunter, capable of preying on a wide variety of animals.
Resident
Meet the neighborhood - Length
- 43-64 cm
- Wingspan
- 91-153 cm
- Weight
- 910-2500 g
Typical adult measurements.
Individuals and populations vary.
01 / The telltale details
You’ll know it
when you see it.
Start with shape and behavior. Then look for the smaller details.
- 01
Size and Shape
A large, thick-bodied owl with broad, rounded wings and a large head. Females are generally larger than males.
- 02
Ear Tufts
Two prominent feathered tufts on the head, which are not actual ears.
- 03
Plumage
Mottled gray-brown overall, with a reddish-brown facial disc and a distinct white throat patch. Coloration can vary regionally.
- 04
Eyes
Large, bright yellow eyes that give it an intense stare.
02 / A place in the world
Where life
takes it.
This highly adaptable owl occupies a vast array of habitats, including forests (coniferous, deciduous, and mixed), grasslands, deserts, swamps, marshes, and even urban and suburban areas. It often favors woodlands adjacent to open fields.
Stay a while. Or follow the season.
Generally a year-round resident across much of its range. However, some northern populations may exhibit migratory movements, often in response to prey availability, moving into the northern United States during winter.
03 / Listen a little closer
A voice
of its own.
The Great Horned Owl has a diverse vocal repertoire, but its most characteristic sound is a series of deep, booming hoots. Males typically give 4-5 notes per hoot, while females give 6-9.
04 / The life behind the feathers
A day in its world.
On the menu.
Its diet is exceptionally varied, consisting primarily of mammals such as rabbits, hares, rats, mice, and voles. It also preys on a wide range of birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates, and is one of the few predators of skunks.
Hunting mostly at night, sometimes at dusk, the Great Horned Owl watches from a high perch before swooping down to capture prey with its powerful talons. It possesses excellent hearing and vision in low light.
A place to begin.
Great Horned Owls do not build their own nests, instead utilizing abandoned nests of other large birds like hawks, eagles, crows, or herons. They may also nest in tree cavities, on cliff ledges, or in human-made structures. Nesting can begin very early in the year, even in late winter.
The little routines.
These owls are monogamous, forming breeding pairs that defend their territory. They are primarily nocturnal, roosting during the day in protected areas like dense tree cover or rocky overhangs.
One more reason to pay attention
A familiar face.
A few surprises.
The Great Horned Owl is sometimes called the 'Tiger of the Woods' or 'Tiger of the Air' due to its fierce hunting prowess.
Its powerful talons can exert a crushing force, capable of severing the spine of large prey.
Great Horned Owls are among the earliest nesting birds in North America, often laying eggs in late winter.
05 / An eye for the difference
Could it be
someone else?
Behind these field notesResearch & references · 12 sources
AI-assisted species research. Prepared September 2026. Details can vary across regions and populations.