Bubo virginianus
This common nocturnal hunter is among the most formidable of mountain predators. Great Horned Owls use their specialized hearing and human-sized eyes to hunt mice, rabbits, grouse and occasionally fish. They have a poorly developed sense of smell, however, which might be why these owls are the only consistent predator of skunks-worn-out and discarded Great Horned Owl feathers are often identifiable by a simple sniff. The Great Horned Owl, the provincial bird of Alberta, is frequently seen in the Rockies, and it breeds throughout the forested areas of North America. |
I.D.: Sexes similar: ear tufts; fine, horizontal breast streaking; facial disc has a dark outline; white chin; heavily mottled upperparts; plumage varies from light gray to dark brown. Size: L 18-25 in. (46-64 cm); W 36-60 in. (91-152 cm). Range: uncommon to common year-round resident throughout the Rockies. Habitat: mixed forests, agricultural areas, shrublands and riparian woodlands from the foothills to the subalpine. Nesting: in the abandoned stick nest of a Red-tailed Hawk, crow, raven, eagle or heron; also nests on cliffs; adds little material to the nest ; pair incubates the eggs for about 33 days. Feeding: mostly nocturnal, but during winter it also hunts in the day; usually swoops from a perch; detects prey with ears and eyes; eats voles, mice, hares, squirrels, skunks, pocket gophers, grebes, geese, grouse and even fish. Voice: 6 deep hoots during the breeding season: hoo-hoo-hoo hoo-hoo hooo or eat-my-food I'll-eat you! Similar Species: Western Screech-Owl: much smaller; vertical breast streaks. Long-eared Owl: vertical breast streaks; ear tufts are very close together; compressed body. Great Gray Owl and Barred Owl: no tufts. |
