Birds nocturnal

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

The 'Tiger of the Air,' the Great Horned Owl is a formidable nocturnal hunter with iconic tufted 'horns' and a haunting, classic hoot. Found in nearly every corner of the Americas, this adaptable predator is a master of camouflage and silent flight.

1 Sightings

1 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 17–25 in (43–64 cm); Wingspan: 3–5 ft (91–153 cm); Weight: 1.3–5.5 lbs (0.6–2.5 kg)

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Colors

Mottled gray-brown above with heavy dark horizontal barring on the underparts. Features a prominent white throat patch and bright yellow eyes. Females are larger than males but share identical plumage.

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Key Features

Large, prominent ear tufts (plumicorns) set far apart
Bright golden-yellow eyes with a dark facial border
Distinctive white 'bib' or throat patch visible when calling
Thickly feathered legs and feet all the way to the talons

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern nocturnal

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Peak hours 9 PM - 2 AM

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Season Year-round, with peak vocal activity from November to February

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Diet A powerful generalist hunter that takes everything from small rodents and scorpions to large hares and even other birds of prey. They are one of the few animals that regularly hunt skunks, as they have a very poor sense of smell.

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Habitat Extremely adaptable; found in dense forests, suburban parks, desert canyons, and agricultural edges.

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Behavior

The Great Horned Owl is the quintessential 'hoot owl,' known for its deep, resonant vocalizations that can carry for miles on a still night. These owls are fierce apex predators and highly territorial, often remaining in the same territory year-round. They do not build their own nests, instead hijacking the abandoned stick nests of hawks, crows, or squirrels, or nesting in tree cavities and cliff ledges.

Despite their large size, they are masters of silent flight thanks to specialized 'fringed' feathers that break up the sound of air rushing over their wings. In a backyard setting, they are often solitary, though you may hear mated pairs performing duets during the late autumn and winter months as they prepare for the earliest nesting season of any North American bird.

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Camera Tips

To capture a Great Horned Owl on your trail camera, height and perspective are everything. These birds rarely spend time on the ground unless they have just made a kill. Position your camera 5 to 10 feet off the ground, angled slightly downward toward a prominent, horizontal 'perch' branch or the top of a fence post. If you have a snag or a dead tree on your property, this is a prime location, as they prefer unobstructed views to scan for prey.

Lighting is a major challenge since they are strictly nocturnal. Use a camera with high-quality 'No-Glow' infrared LEDs. Traditional 'Long-Range' flashes can sometimes 'white out' the owl’s pale chest feathers, obscuring the beautiful barring patterns. Set your camera to a high-sensitivity motion trigger with a fast recovery time; owls move with surprising speed, and a slow trigger will often result in a frame containing nothing but a disappearing tail feather.

While you shouldn't use food to lure them, providing a reliable water source can be a magnet. A large, heated birdbath or a small garden pond often attracts them for a drink or a bath, especially in the dry summer months or the dead of winter. If you are using video mode, set the duration to at least 20 seconds. This allows you to capture the fascinating behavior of the owl swiveling its head or 'mantling'—spreading its wings to hide a catch from other potential thieves.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Great Horned Owl.

Barred Owl

Lacks ear tufts and has dark brown eyes instead of yellow; features vertical brown streaking on the belly.

Long-eared Owl

Much smaller and more slender; its ear tufts are closer together and more vertical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Great Horned Owls are primarily nocturnal. While they may occasionally be seen at dusk (crepuscular activity), their peak hunting and vocalizing hours are between 9 PM and 2 AM. On very dark or cloudy days, they might begin hunting shortly before sunset.

The best way to attract them is to provide high perches and a healthy habitat for their prey. Avoid using rodenticides, as poisoned rats can kill owls. Planting tall evergreen trees provides essential daytime roosting cover, and a large, deep water basin can attract them for bathing.

They have the most diverse diet of all North American owls. This includes mammals like rabbits, squirrels, mice, and skunks, as well as birds like crows, ducks, and even other owls. They also eat reptiles, amphibians, and large insects if larger prey is scarce.

Yes, they are very common in suburbs. As long as there are some tall trees for nesting and a steady supply of rodents or rabbits, they can thrive in close proximity to humans. You are more likely to hear them than see them.

The easiest way is to look at the eyes and the 'horns.' Great Horned Owls have yellow eyes and prominent ear tufts. Barred Owls have dark brown (almost black) eyes and a round head with no ear tufts. Additionally, Great Horned Owls have horizontal barring on the belly, while Barred Owls have vertical streaks.

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