Fauna
Bird

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Also known as Tiger Owl, Hoot Owl, Cat Owl

Great horned owls rule North American nights with silent flight and keen binocular vision, hunting everything from rodents to skunks. Mated pairs defend territories year-round, performing deep-toned vocal duets that echo across woodlands and deserts in late winter. Female owls lay eggs in abandoned hawk nests or tree cavities early in the season, brooding young while males provide all the food.

NocturnalApex PredatorAdaptable
Great Horned Owl reference1 / 6
"Great Horned Owl, the first I've seen in decent light this year. Didn't want to disturb it for too long so we continued along the trail" by island deborah- is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
—observations
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—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyCottontail Rabbits, Striped Skunks, Mice and Voles
Predators
  • Golden Eagle
  • Peregrine Falcon
ThreatsRodenticide poisoning, vehicle strikes, power lines
HabitatsForests, deserts, wetlands, suburban parks
Life span13–15 years in wild
Classification
  1. OrderStrigiformes
  2. FamilyStrigidae
  3. GenusBubo
  4. SpeciesBubo virginianus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Capable of inflicting serious injuries with talons if cornered; observe from a safe distance.
Why it is dangerous
Equipped with powerful talons capable of exerting tremendous crushing pressure, posing a severe puncture hazard if approached closely or handled.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognizable by prominent feather ear tufts, large yellow eyes, and deep rhythmic hooting calls at night.
What to do
Maintain a respectful distance and avoid approaching nests or injured birds without professional rehabilitator assistance.
Responsible observation
  • Vocal Tracking: Listen for deep, five-to-six-note hoots at dusk, especially during winter courtship.
  • Disturbance Cues: Watch for agitated mobbing behavior from crows, jays, or songbirds, which often reveals a roosting owl.
  • Viewing Etiquette: Keep flashlight beams off the bird's eyes to avoid disrupting nocturnal hunting.
Related species
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