Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus

Identification: The Great Horned Owl has a body length of 18-25 inches and attains a wingspread of 53-55 inches. Plumage is generally brown, spotted with darker browns and black on the upper parts of the wings. It is light below, and rather finely barred with dark brown or black. The throat is white, eyes bright yellow. Ear tufts are prominent in this species. The Great Horned Owl is Florida's largest owl.

Range & Habitat: This species occurs commonly in the Americas, except for the West Indies, from the northern tree line to the Strait of Magellan. Great Horned Owls can also be seen in a wide variety of forests, thickets, scrub, plains, canyons, cliffsides , river bottoms and deserts. In Florida, they are commonly found around golf courses or in urban areas.

Reproduction: These owls begins nesting early, usually in December and January. Rather than building their own nests, Great Horned Owls commonly use old hawk, heron or crow nests and have even been known to pirate Bald Eagle nests. They will also nest on the ground or in tree cavities. Clutch size is usually 2-3 white eggs, although anywhere from 1-5 is typical. Both sexes participate in incubation, which takes 26-30 days. Young begin flying at 9 weeks of age.

Diet: These large owls will eat almost anything they can catch, and can handle surprisingly large prey. A partial menu list includes rats, squirrels, rabbits, ducks, grouse, weasels, lizards, frogs, fish and insects.

Remarks: The only thing that can successfully harass a Great Horned Owl is a flock of persistent crows. The voice of this owl is one of its outstanding traits, indeed classifying it as a hoot owl. Deep and resonant, the notes have much carrying power.