Bubo virginianus

A large (18-25 inches) owl, the Great Horned Owl is most easily identified by its brown body, flat disk-shaped face with large yellow eyes, and large brown “ear” tufts. This species may be distinguished from the similarly-sized Barred Owl (Strix varia) by that species’ lack of ear tufts and brown eyes. Male and female Great Horned Owls are similar to one another at all seasons. The Great Horned Owl is the most widely distributed owl species in the Americas. This species occurs from Alaska and northern Canada south to Central America, and South American populations occur from Venezuela south to southern Argentina and Chile. All populations of Barred Owl are non-migratory. Great Horned Owls may be found in a number of woodland habitat types across this species’ wide range, from cold evergreen woodland in the far north and south to humid tropical forest near the equator. Within these habitats, Great Horned Owls prefer open areas along woodland edges, frequently venturing outside the forest into nearby fields and meadows to hunt. Great Horned Owls eat small animals, including rodents, rabbits and hares, and small to medium-sized birds. Great Horned Owls use their excellent hearing to locate prey on the ground in order to fly down and capture it with its talons. Also, like most owls, this species hunts primarily at night, making it difficult to observe. Great Horned Owls are most visible roosting high in trees during the day, and may best be located while producing this species’ characteristic hooting calls between dawn and dusk.

Threat Status: Least concern

The Great Horned Owl is the most common and widespread large owl found in the Americas. Its range spans much of the New World from the Arctic tundra to the tip of South America. A variety of subspecies are recognized based on regional differences in size and color. Throughout its range, this owl has adapted to many different habitats and climates from temperate forests, tropical rainforests, and deserts to agricultural fields and urban parks, but it is generally more common in open, fragmented areas than in dense primary forests.

The Great Horned Owl is characterized by prominent ear tufts or "horns" from which it derives its name. It has large yellow eyes surrounded by a tawny facial disk. A conspicuous, narrow, white patch is often visible on the throat. The adult plumage is mottled and varies in color from reddish brown to light or dark grey. The underside usually has fine dark bars on a lighter background. These owls also have large feet that are feathered down to the strong, heavy talons. Immature owls resemble the adults, but their plumage color is generally lighter or more reddish. Their ear tufts are smaller and the white throat patch is not yet distinctive.

Great Horned Owls have a large geographic range. They are native to both the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. They live throughout the forests of North, Central, and South America, from the Arctic regions in the North to the Straits of Magellan in the South.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); neotropical (Native )

The great horned owl breeds from western and central Alaska and central
Yukon east to Labrador and Newfoundland and south throughout North and
South America to Tierra del Fuego. Winter range is essentially the same
except for some migration to the southeast by northern populations,
usually in severe winters [14].

More info on this topic.

This species can be found in the following regions of the western United States (according to the Bureau of Land Management classification of Physiographic Regions of the western United States):

1 Northern Pacific Border
2 Cascade Mountains
3 Southern Pacific Border
4 Sierra Mountains
5 Columbia Plateau
6 Upper Basin and Range
7 Lower Basin and Range
8 Northern Rocky Mountains
9 Middle Rocky Mountains
10 Wyoming Basin
11 Southern Rocky Mountains
12 Colorado Plateau
13 Rocky Mountain Piedmont
14 Great Plains
15 Black Hills Uplift
16 Upper Missouri Basin and Broken Lands

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC

AB BC MB NB NF NT NS ON PE PQ SK YT

The great horned owl has a large geographic range. It is found throughout the forests of North, Central, and South America, from the Arctic regions in the North to the Straits of Magellan in the South.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); neotropical (Native )

occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Global Range: (>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)) BREEDING: western and central Alaska to southern Keewatin and Labrador, south to southern South America. NON-BREEDING: generally throughout breeding range; northernmost populations partially migratory, wintering south to southern Canada and northern U.S.

Great Horned Owls are the fiercest and most powerful of the common owls. They are easily recognized by the feather tufts on their head that resemble horns or ears, sometimes called cat owls because of their catlike ears, eyes, shape of head, and appearance when huddled on the nest. The upper parts of the owl's body are sooty brown with gray-brown mottling. They have dark underparts which contrast sharply with their white throat. The coloration makes them well camoflaged and difficult to spot in the forest. They measure about 50 cm in length and have a wingspan of 140 cm from wing tip to wing tip. Males and females are similar in size.

Average length: 50.0 cm.

Average wingspan: 140.0 cm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike

Average mass: 1450 g.

Average basal metabolic rate: 5.2442 W.

The great horned owl, the fiercest and most powerful of the common owls, is visually stunning. It is sometimes called the cat owl because of its catlike ears, eyes, shape of head, and appearance when huddled up on its nest. The great horned owl is highly recognizable for the feather tufts on its head that resemble horns. The upper parts of the owl's body are sooty brown with gray-brown mottling, and its dark underparts make its white throat standout. The great horned owl measures approximately .5 m. in length and has a wingspan of approximately 1.4 m from tip to tip.

Average mass: 1450 g.

Average basal metabolic rate: 5.2442 W.

Length: 56 cm

Weight: 1769 grams

Great Horned Owls can be found in dense woodlands of hardwoods and conifers, along cliffs and rocky canyons, and in forest openings.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: forest

More info for the term: tree

Nesting: The great horned owl usually uses nests that were built by
other bird species, especially hawks (Buteonidae), herons (Ardeidae),
and crows (Corvus spp.) [14], but also common ravens (C. corax),
ferruginous hawks (Buteo regalis), and red-tailed hawks (B.
jamaicensis). Great horned owls also use nest cavities excavated by
pileated woodpeckers (Drycopus pileatus) [18]. In northeastern Wyoming
great horned owls use nests of golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos),
ferruginous hawk, red-tailed hawk, and Swainson's hawk (B. swainsonii)
[33]. Great horned owl nests are up to 70 feet (21 m) above ground in
cavities, tree limb crotches, stumps, caves, and rocky crevices, and on
ledges [14,33]. In the Great Basin great horned owls nested in juniper
trees, on cliffs, and in abandoned quarries with steep fronts [18]. The
great horned owl commonly uses the same territory but a different nest
each season. In Wyoming one pair continuously occupied the same
territory for 7 successive years and another pair held a territory for 8
years. Great horned owls occasionally reuse the same nest in successive
breeding seasons [7].

Roosting: Great horned owls usually roost in places that allow maximum
concealment during daylight hours. They often choose trees with dense
foliage that are separated from other trees in the area. Conifers are
favored when present; in deciduous forests great horned owls prefer
trees that hold clusters of dead leaves over the winter (i.e., oaks and
American beech) [24].

In urban settings, great horned owls nest in deserted buildings,
powerline towers, haylofts of abandoned barns, and artificial nests
[10].

Hunting: Great horned owls often hunt from perches adjacent to open
areas. They usually fly below the treetops but occasionally fly
slightly higher [25].

More info for the terms: density, frequency, shrub

Great horned owls occupy more diverse habitats than any other owl;
habitats harboring great horned owls include deep forests (both
coniferous and deciduous), open woodlands, chaparral, desert cliffs,
woodlots, and wooded urban environments [12,32]. Great horned owls
prefer mature successional stages with openings [32]. Great horned owl
habitat usually includes fields and/or wetlands. Recent findings
suggest a lower density of great horned owls in heavily forested tracts
than in more open areas; for example, there is a lower frequency of
great horned owls in the heavily wooded northern third of Wisconsin than
in the more open southern two-thirds [32]. In Utah great horned owls
were found most frequently in thinned stands. They often forage in
slash piles [43]. In Maryland great horned owls are found in forests
and woodlots, adjacent fields, and marshes [38]. In New Jersey great
horned owls avoid close contact with human habitation and prefer to be
near water courses and in upland and lowland hardwoods. In southeastern
Wisconsin, an average of 27 percent of the entire annual home range was
wooded or in marshlands and wet shrub communities; the remainder varied
among open areas and agricultural developments. Actual usage patterns
within home ranges were concentrated in areas with appropriate hunting
and nesting sites (i. e., perches near open areas) [31,32]. The great
horned owl is found from sea level to timberline [13,37].

Home Range: In southeastern Wisconsin the average size of the great
horned owl's annual home range was about 813 acres (329 ha). Home
ranges of successful breeders were larger. Home ranges decreased for
both successful and unsuccessful breeders in spring as prey availability
increased. During summer, home ranges gradually expanded again [31].
Petersen [31] reported a density of one pair per 3 square miles (7.5 sq
km) in southeastern Wisconsin, but an active breeding density of one
pair per 4 square miles (9.3 sq km). Nesting densities of great horned
owls in Michigan ranged from 0.15 to 0.26 bird per square kilometer.
The average home range was 524 acres (212 ha) [9]. In eastern South
Dakota the daily range of great horned owls exceeded observation plot
size of 100 acres (40 ha) [16].

Roosting: Great horned owls usually roost in dense foliage, tree
cavities, old nests, and crevices in rocks [12].

Nesting: Nest sites are often chosen adjacent to open areas suitable
for hunting lagomorphs (Leporidae) and rodents (Rodentia) [13]. In
western grasslands, great horned owls were observed in four habitats:
unbroken grassland, creek bottoms, cliffs, and cultivated land. The
majority of great horned owl observations (80.5%) occurred in creek
bottoms [30]. Riparian areas are preferred for nest sites in the
northeastern states [28]. Supporting substrates for great horned owl
nests included trees (85%), cliffs (9.8%), and creekbanks (4.9%) [30].
In southeastern Wisconsin the number of active breeding pairs of great
horned owls was apparently related to cottontail (Silvilagus spp.)
density; owl productivity (number of young fledged) was positively
related to abundance of staple prey [31].

Hunting: Prey availability in grasslands is a function of prey density,
vegetation structure, and mode of hunting. Raptors tend to hunt in
areas with high capture probability [4]. In northeastern Colorado great
horned owls were observed in grazed bottomlands more often than in
ungrazed bottomlands, possibly because the lower vegetation left prey
more vulnerable [11]. Sympatry with common barn owls (Tyto alba) is
made possible by differing hunting strategies; for example, great horned
owls tend to hunt from perches and common barn owls typically capture
prey during flight [23].

More info for the terms: cover, density

Great horned owls occupy a wide variety of forested habitats including
open coniferous and deciduous forests, mixed woods, orchards, second
growth forests, marshes, swamps, riverine forests, partially wooded
slopes, brushy hillsides, farm woodlots, and large city parks [13]. In
the western states great horned owls are often found in oak (Quercus
spp.) and pinyon (Pinus spp.)-juniper (Juniperus spp.) woodland [40].
In Idaho great horned owls are common wherever trees are large enough
for shelter [8]. In west-central Utah great horned owls are permanent
residents in pinyon-juniper woodlands [18]. In the Little Missouri
National Grasslands of western North Dakota, great horned owls were
observed in cottonwood (Populus spp.) woodlands but not in ash (Fraxinus
spp.) or juniper types. In this area, cottonwoods were lower in total
tree density but had higher canopy coverage than other types. In
cottonwood woodlands ground cover was 20 percent, dominated by grasses
[20]. In northeastern Wyoming great horned owls occupy riparian areas
dominated by eastern cottonwood (P. deltoides) and willows (Salix spp.)
surrounded by upland big sagebrush (Artemisia tridendata)-grassland
(primarily Agropyron) communities [33]. In Ohio, great horned owls
occur in virgin American beech (Fagus grandifolia)-maple (Acer spp.)
forests [1]. In the southeastern United States great horned owls are
common in baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) swamps and expansive, dense
cabbage palmetto (Sabal palmetto)-pine woodlands [13].

Andersen [4] listed the great horned owl as a secondary grassland
raptor; it sometimes breeds in grasslands but more typically breeds in
woodlands, edge communities, or partly open habitats.

REFERENCES :
NO-ENTRY

More info on this topic.

This species is known to occur in association with the following Rangeland Cover Types (as classified by the Society for Range Management, SRM):

More info for the term: cover

The great horned owl occurs in most SRM cover types.

More info on this topic.

This species is known to occur in the following ecosystem types (as named by the U.S. Forest Service in their Forest and Range Ecosystem [FRES] Type classification):

FRES10 White-red-jack pine
FRES11 Spruce-fir
FRES12 Longleaf-slash pine
FRES13 Loblolly-shortleaf pine
FRES14 Oak-pine
FRES15 Oak-hickory
FRES16 Oak-gum-cypress
FRES17 Elm-ash-cottonwood
FRES18 Maple-beech-birch
FRES19 Aspen-birch
FRES20 Douglas-fir
FRES21 Ponderosa pine
FRES22 Western white pine
FRES23 Fir-spruce
FRES24 Hemlock-Sitka spruce
FRES25 Larch
FRES26 Lodgepole pine
FRES27 Redwood
FRES28 Western hardwoods
FRES29 Sagebrush
FRES30 Desert shrub
FRES31 Shinnery
FRES32 Texas savanna
FRES33 Southwestern shrubsteppe
FRES34 Chaparral-mountain shrub
FRES35 Pinyon-juniper
FRES36 Mountain grasslands
FRES37 Mountain meadows
FRES38 Plains grasslands
FRES39 Prairie
FRES40 Desert grasslands
FRES41 Wet grasslands
FRES42 Annual grasslands
FRES44 Alpine

More info on this topic.

This species is known to occur in association with the following cover types (as classified by the Society of American Foresters):

The great horned owl occurs in all SAF types.

More info on this topic.

This species is known to occur in association with the following plant community types (as classified by Küchler 1964):

The great horned owl occurs in all Kuchler types.

Systems

• Terrestrial

Within its range the great horned owl can be found in dense woodlands of hardwoods and conifers, along cliffs and rocky canyons, and in forest openings. In general, the great horned owl is solitary and inhabits unsettled places.

Comments: Various forested habitats, moist or arid, deciduous or evergreen lowland forest to open temperate woodland, including second-growth forest, swamps, orchards, riverine forest, brushy hillsides, and desert. Very local in tropical lowlands (Hilty and Brown 1986).

Nest sites in different areas include: in trees in old or usurped nests of other birds (e.g., hawk, crow) or squirrel; tree cavities; stumps; rocky ledges; caves; in barns; and on artificial platforms. Usually in heaviest available timber in east; sites more diverse in arid west. Typically does not use same tree nest in successive years.

Non-Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species do not make significant seasonal migrations. Juvenile dispersal is not considered a migration.

Locally Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

Northern populations partially migratory; some individuals, especially young, found in winter up to a few hundred km south of banding site. Band recoveries indicate that most individuals remain within 80 km of banding site (Johnsgard 1988).

Great horned owls hunt at night and capture a variety of small mammals. Their prey includes Sylvilagus floridanus, Marmota monax, Peromyscus leucopus, Rattus norvegicus, Sciuridae, and Mephitis mephitis. Great horned owls are also known to eat birds such as Anas platyrhynchos, Zenaida macroura and Columba livia, Colinus virginianus, and occasionally Branta canadensis or turkeys.

Owls as a group eat their prey whole and regurgitate the unwanted parts (bones, fur, and feathers) in pellets, called owl pellets. By looking at the contents of owl pellets we can learn about the food habits of particular owl species.

More info for the term: litter

The great horned owl uses a wide variety of prey and takes animals up to
the size of young wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and common porcupine
(Erethizontidae dorsatum). Small- to medium-sized mammals and birds are
preferred, including hares and rabbits (Leporidae), mice (Muridae),
Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), common muskrat (Ondatra
zibethicus), squirrels (Sciuridae), pocket gophers (Geomyidae), and
voles (Microtus spp.) [12]. Great horned owls also take reptiles
(including snakes), amphibians, large insects, and fish [12,14]. In the
Sierra Nevada 61 percent of great horned owl diet consisted of
cottontails; woodrats (Neotoma spp.) were the second most consumed food
item. Pocket gophers and snakes were minor dietary components. In
Oklahoma 25 percent of great horned owl diet was cottontails, 18 percent
pocket mice (Perognathus spp.), 12 percent kangaroo rats (Dipodomys
spp.), and 10 percent grasshopper mice (Onychomys spp.) [40]. Other
prey items include skunks (Mephitis and Spilogale spp.), ducks and geese
(Anatidae), ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), grouse
(Phasianidae), domestic chickens, woodpeckers (Picidae), orioles
(Icterus spp.), and jays (Corvidae) [12]. Large prey can include small
dogs, domestic cats, and young foxes (Vulpes and Urocyon spp.) [10,25].
Predation on songbirds is minimal [12]. In northeastern Wyoming
riparian areas and adjacent big sagebrush-grasslands, the prey base for
great horned owls consists largely of white-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus
townsendii), cottontails, and black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys
ludovicianus). Other mammals and reptiles are common prey items [33].

Hunting Style: Great horned owls usually hunt from a perch at the edge
of a clearing, making short flights out to capture prey. They also
forage on the wing. On occasion, great horned owls have been observed
walking on the forest floor turning over litter and other materials to
find insects, mice, and shrews (Soricidae). Great horned owls wade into
shallow water for crayfish, fish, frogs, and turtles [24,25].

Comments: Opportunistic feeder; eats mainly mammals (commonly mouse to rabbit size) and small to large birds (including hawks and waterfowl). Parents provide up to about 300 g of food per day per nestling.

Great Horned Owls are top predators.

Very few animals hunt adult great horned owls. As young in the nest they may be preyed on by large nest predators, such as Procyon lotor. Young owls may be taken by other large, predatory birds, such as Buteo jamaicensis and Accipiter cooperi.

Known Predators:

• Accipiter cooperii
• Buteo jamaicensis
• Procyon lotor

More info for the term: natural

Adult great horned owls have no natural routine predators. Antagonistic
interactions with red-tailed hawks and crows are common [25]. Crows mob
and harass great horned owls during the day; great horned owls attack
roosting groups of crows at night, killing many at a time [12].

Bubo virginianus preys on:
Microtus
Corvus
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Evolomys
Bonasa umbellus
Colaptes auratus
Lepus americanus
Clethrionomys
Spermophilus franklinii
Empidonax minimus
Icterus galbula
Pheucticus ludovicianus
Catharus fuscescens
Poecile atricapillus
Leporidae
Fulica americana
Microtus ochrogaster
Geomyidae
Spermophilus
Sciurognathi
Peromyscus
Tamias
Neotoma
Dipodomys
Sylvilagus
Ondatra zibethicus
Peromyscus maniculatus
Mustelinae
Podilymbus podiceps
Egretta thula
Aix sponsa
Parabuteo unicinctus
Pandion haliaetus
Larus californicus
Tyto alba
Surnia ulula
Micrathene whitneyi
Strix varia
Asio flammeus
Corvus corax
Nucifraga columbiana
Tamias merriami
Thomomys talpoides
Microtus longicaudus
Microtus californicus
Neotoma lepida
Bassariscus astutus
Chaetodipus nelsoni
Falcipennis canadensis
Otus kennicottii
Ctenomys conoveri

Based on studies in:
Canada: Manitoba (Grassland)
USA: Arizona (Forest, Montane)
USA: California, Cabrillo Point (Grassland)
USA: Arizona, Sonora Desert (Desert or dune)

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

More info for the terms: cover, density

The effects of fire on prey species are probably the most important
habitat related fire effects on great horned owls. Prey availability is
often enhanced by removal of surface cover. Decreases in prey
populations after fire probably result in lowered nesting success or
even a change in residency for great horned owls. In California, great
horned owl density was high following a fire in chaparral, but
reproductive success decreased later, possibly because loss of habitat
concentrated raptors into a smaller area and led to increased
competition for prey [42].

More info for the terms: altricial, formation

Migration: Great horned owls are resident in most parts of their range
in North America [32]. Most (93%) banded birds from a wide range of
study sites have been recovered within 48 miles (80 km) of the banding
location. Great horned owls banded in the South had traveled shorter
distances than great horned owls banded in the North [24]. Great horned
owls migrate away from conifer bogs and forests in the northern parts of
their range in severe winters. It is also common for great horned owls
to move from Canada to the northern Great Lakes States in winter [32].

Pair Formation: Great horned owls are usually the earliest nesting
raptors. Pair formation occurs in early winter; the male chooses a nest
site and attempts to attract a female by copious vocalizations [24].

Nesting: In Maryland and the District of Columbia great horned owls
nest from late January to late May; extreme egg dates are January 27 and
April 12 [38]. The typical great horned owl clutch is two or three
eggs; clutch sizes range from one to six eggs. The male feeds the
female while she incubates the eggs. Incubation time is 25 to 30 days
[12].

Development of Young: Hatching dates usually occurs in mid-February.
The altricial young are downy, with eyes closed. Their eyes usually
open by 7 days. Hatchlings are brooded almost constantly by the female
for up to 3 weeks. The male parent guards the nest closely. Nestlings
often edge out of the nest by about 32 days but remain near the nest and
continue to be cared for by the parents until after full flight is
achieved. At about 6 weeks of age nestlings begin flapping and learning
to fly; first flight may occur by 9 weeks but sustained flight is
usually not achieved until about 12 weeks. Fledglings may spend up to
14 days on the ground prior to achieving full flight capability [12,25].

Age at First Breeding: The great horned owl usually first breeds at
2 years of age [25].

Diurnal Activity: In Manitoba juvenile great horned owls were observed
hunting between 8 p.m. and 12 a.m. in July and August [7].

Longevity: The oldest banded great horned owl recovered in the wild was
13 years old. Captive birds may live more than 20 years [25].

In Saskatchewan, productivity (number of young per nest and number of breeders) peaked with peak in snowshoe hare population (Houston 1987); declines in hare density resulted in increased owl dispersal and mortality (Houston and Francis 1995). Home range size varies seasonally and geographically. Breeding territories in southwest Yukon ranged from 230-883 hectares, averaging 483 hectares; home ranges of nonterritorial floaters overlapped the territorial pairs and averaged 725 hectares (Rohner 1997). Density varies in different areas, usually about 1 pair per 5-20 sq km.

Great Horned Owls communicate with sounds and body movements, such as hooting, hissing, calling, fluffing feathers, posture, and bill snapping. They have extraordinarily good eyesight in low light conditions and can hear very well. Their ears are not located exactly opposite each other on the head of these owls. This allows Great Horned Owls to better pinpoint the location of sounds, such as the sound of a mouse running.

A Great Horned Owl banded in the United States lived at least 27 years and 7 months. Most Great Horned Owls live much shorter lives, probably around 13-15 years in the wild.

Range lifespan
Status: wild: 27.0 (high) years.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 13.0 years.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 333 months.

Range lifespan
Status: wild: 29 (high) years.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 333 months.

Maximum longevity: 29 years (wild) Observations: Though sexual maturity may be reached at earlier ages, breeding normally does not occur before age 2. The record longevity in the wild is 13 years (http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/).

Mating System: monogamous

The courtship of Great Horned Owls usually begins in late January or early February. After mating these owls will use the abandoned nest of another bird, usually a hawk or crow. One female usually lays 2 or 3 eggs, and rarely as many as 5. The male and the female will both incubate the eggs, which means both parents take turns sitting on the nest to keep the eggs warm until they hatch. The chicks hatch in about 4 weeks.

Breeding interval: Great Horned Owls raise one family each year.

Breeding season: Great Horned Owls breed from early spring through summer.

Range eggs per season: 2.0 to 5.0.

Average eggs per season: 2.0.

Average time to hatching: 4.0 weeks.

Average fledging age: 7.0 weeks.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 1.0 years.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 1.0 years.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (Internal ); oviparous

Average time to hatching: 27 days.

Average eggs per season: 3.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 730 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 730 days.

Both parents incubate and feed the chicks. Great Horned Owls are protective parents, guarding the young until they are fully grown. The young are old enough to leave the family (fledge) about 7 weeks after they hatch.

Parental Investment: altricial ; male parental care ; female parental care

The courtship of the great horned owl usually begins in late January or early February. The mating rituals of the owl include the singing of love songs between the female and male. After mating the owls will use the abandoned nest of another bird, usually a hawk or crow. The eggs usually number 2-3, and rarely as many as 5. The great horned owl raises one family each year. The male and the female will both incubate the eggs, which will hatch in approximately 4 weeks. The great horned owl is also known to be a very protective parent, guarding the young until they mature fully and can leave the family (at approx. 1-2 months old).

Average time to hatching: 27 days.

Average eggs per season: 3.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 730 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 730 days.

Clutch size averages 2-3. Incubation lasts 26-35 days, mostly by female (male supplies food). Young leave nest at 4-5 weeks, fly well at 9-10 weeks, dependent on parents for several weeks. Most yearling females do not nest. Lost clutch may be replaced. Longevity record in the wild is at least 28 years.

Great Horned Owls are opportunistic nesters building their crude nests on a variety of substrates including trees, cliffs, stream banks, columnar cacti, and human-made structures. They often take over abandoned nests of other large birds such as hawks, raven, or crows.

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.

There are 9 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank.  Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.

Download FASTA File

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 9
Specimens with Barcodes: 10
Species With Barcodes: 1

Great Horned Owls are fairly common throughout their range. They are protected under the U.S. Migratory Bird Act.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Year Assessed

Assessor/s

Reviewer/s

Contributor/s

Justification

History

• 2008
  Least Concern
• 2004
  Least Concern

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

More info for the terms: fire-free interval, prescribed fire

Great horned owls use but are not limited to the following fire
dependent ecosystems:

Presettlement Fire Regime
______________________________________________________________
Habitat Average Fire-Free Interval

grasslands 1-5 years
semidesert grass-shrub up to 10 years
sagebrush (Artemisia spp.)-grass 20-100 years
chaparral 20-40 years
pinyon-juniper 10-30 years
ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) 5-10 years
Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) 100-500 years
redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) 17-82 years
giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron gigantea) 5-10 years

Fire exclusion has had more detrimental effects than benefits on raptor
habitat. Prescribed fire in raptor habitats usually does not conflict
with raptor habitat objectives and can in many cases be beneficial [29].

More info for the terms: cover, density, presence, tree

Population Stability: The great horned owl is a widespread and common
raptor. All the midwestern states report great horned owls as common to
abundant, and they are common to abundant in the Great Plains. Most
great horned owl populations are currently stable or increasing. Only
on the High Plains Border and the Unglaciated Missouri Plateau
physiographic provinces did Breeding Bird Survey data suggest declining
populations [32]. Nesting densities and territory sizes fluctuate
annually, probably due to changes in food supply. In Wyoming a
particularly small nesting population was observed in the same year that
cottontail populations were unusually low. Temporary declines in prey
base are unlikely to cause any long-term great horned owl population
perturbations since great horned owl pairs unsuccessful breeders one
year are often successful in other years [34]. Only the most general
raptor management considerations need to be made for great horned owls,
such as retention of cavity trees, protection of riparian woods within
grasslands, and protection from human harassment [30,33].

Forest Composition: In the northeastern United States, woods consisting
of hardwoods and pines are good habitat for great horned owl and other
raptors (barred owl [Strix varia], northern goshawk [Accipiter
gentilis], broad-winged hawk [Buteo platypterus], and red-tailed hawk).
Forest unit management guidelines should be set in relationship to
selected home range size; since the great horned owl has a very large
home range, managers should consider forest composition objectives in
groups of units rather than individual units. All cavity trees and at
least 10 percent of remaining forest cover should be mature and/or
decadent trees. Silviculture treatments favoring raptors in the White
Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire, included one 0.25- to 0.5-acre
(0.1-0.2 ha) plot left uncut for every 10 acres (4 ha) cut in
regeneration plots. Uncut areas contained at least one living tree 18
inches (45.7 cm) or more in diameter with at least two major defects.
Wherever possible, uncut areas included existing raptor nests (any
species, since great horned owls use old nests of other raptors) [28].
Similarly, in Utah wildlife management considerations included leaving
large old trees for cavity nesters. Woyda and Kessler [43] were of the
opinion that harvest patterns that result in even-aged regeneration
would only be appropriate for great horned owl and other species that do
not require a variety of tree age classes.

Young [44] lists the great horned owl as capable of persisting in
agricultural areas; nesting densities are strongly influenced by
intensity of land use, agricultural practices, and human activity.
Winter use of agricultural areas by great horned owls is common [44].

Artificial Nests: Great horned owls use artificial nests when more
suitable nest sites are unavailable. However, adding artificial nest
and perch sites in grasslands may encourage the use of grasslands by
woodland and edge species at the expense of raptors that primary use
grasslands [4].

Urban Settings: Wintering great horned owl density reflects
availability of medium-sized prey such as skunks, domestic cats, etc. [10].

Mortality: Major causes of death for great horned owls include
collisions with vehicles, shooting, and starvation [24,32]. The highest
mortality rates are among juveniles, largely due to cannibalism and
severe weather; annual mortality rate was 15 percent for nestlings, 58
percent for juveniles, 44 percent for 1- to 2-year-olds, and 28 percent
for adults over 2 years old [24,25]. At least 52 percent of banded and
recovered great horned owls had been shot and 12 percent had been
trapped; perhaps as many as 96 percent had been killed intentionally
[24]. Mortality due to pesticides during 1946 to 1968 was minimal [32];
however, poisoning of great horned owls due to pesticides used in urban
and suburban environments has been increasing [12].

Nuisance: The majority of respondents to a raptor nuisance survey
(33/54) reported great horned owl nuisance, damage, or safety problems.
Most reported problems involved predation at poultry and game farms, and
at beagle clubs (preying on domestic rabbits kept for club activities).
Other nuisance problems involved predation on pets including exotic
animals and birds [21].

Raptor Reintroduction Projects: Great horned owl presence at peregrine
falcon (Falco peregrinus) release sites is detrimental to the survival
of nestling and juvenile peregrine falcons. Great horned owls occupy
suitable peregrine falcon nest sites (which are usually scarce) and prey
on juvenile great horned owls. Much debate has occurred over the
feasibility and necessity for great horned owl removal during peregrine
falcon reestablishment. The intent of most great horned owl removal
have been to reduce the threat to young peregrine falcons immediately
after release. Personnel at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have
stated that great horned owl control is unnecessary once falcons are
established and reproducing (with naturally fledged peregrine falcons
present). They do, however, support localized great horned owl control
for a few months after peregrine falcon release and/or fledging [22].
Similar problems pertain to prairie falcon (F. mexicanus) management;
most nest sites large enough for prairie falcons are also suitable for
great horned owls, and young prairie lafcons are vulnerable to predation
by great horned owls [30].

REFERENCES :
NO-ENTRY

Great Horned Owls occasionally prey on domestic poultry, such as ducks and chickens. They are also known to sometimes take domestic cats.

Great Horned Owls control harmful rodent populations throughout their range.

Positive Impacts: controls pest population