Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Appearance
If you saw a Great Horned Owl, it would be easy for you to tell what it is, because it looks like it has horns! These owls don't really have horns, but they have tufts of feathers on their ears that look like they have horns.
46–63 cm
Wingspan: 39.8–57.1 in
101–145 cm
Weight: 32.1–88.2 oz
910–2500 g
Habitat
Found all across North America up to the northern tree line,
They are located particularly in young woods interspersed with fields or other open areas. The broad range of habitats they use includes deciduous and evergreen forests, swamps, desert, tundra edges, and tropical rainforest, as well as cities, orchards, suburbs, and parks.
Diet
They supplement their diet with reptiles, insects, fish, invertebrates, and sometimes carrion. Although they are usually nocturnal hunters, Great Horned Owls sometimes hunt in broad daylight. After spotting their prey from a perch, they pursue it on the wing over woodland edges, meadows, wetlands, open water, or other habitats. They may walk along the ground to stalk small prey around bushes or other obstacles.
Nesting
Egg Length: 2.1–2.2 in
5.3–5.6 cm
Egg Width: 1.8–1.9 in
4.5–4.7 cm
Incubation Period: 30–37 days
Nestling Period: 42 days
Egg Description: Dull white and nearly spherical, with a rough surface.
Condition at Hatching: Helpless, with closed eyes, pink skin, and white down on upperparts.