Great Horned Owls are large (18-25 in) with long earlike tufts on their head, a white bib, and a dark brown body with white markings. They have a deep hooting voice that is unlike any other North American Owl. The males are smaller than females and have a deeper voice.
Great Horned Owls can be found year-round in forests from the Arctic to South America. Their short, wide wings allow them to manoeuvre between the trees.
They hunt at night and are fierce predators with prey ranging from birds or mammals larger than themselves to small insects, mice, and frogs. They use their large, strong talons to break the spine of large prey.
Could it be? Great Gray Owls are also forest dwellers, but they hunt during the day and don't have ear tufts. Long-eared Owls prefer open grasslands and are smaller and slender with ear tufts that point straight up rather than out at a slight angle.
Did you know? Great Horned Owls can look in any direction by swiveling their head 180 degrees.
See Also: Burrowing Owl, Great Gray Owl, Long-eared Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Snowy Owl
