
The large, familiar "hoot" owl, widespread in North America. Adult is dark brown overall, thickly barred underneath and patterned on the back and wings, with yellow eyes, white throat, and obvious ear tufts. Some regional plumage variation; northern birds are relatively pale, western birds splotchy and dark, and eastern birds relatively colorful with buffy and orange tones in the face and underparts. Long-eared Owl is smaller, with streaking underneath.
Length: 55 (cm) Wingspan: 111 (cm)
Voice:
Classic series of hoots, male lower-pitched than female. Also rasping begging call.
Habitat:
Wide variety of woodlands, open areas, deserts, and marshes, with at least a few trees.
Behavior:
Nocturnal. Roosts by day in dense foliage. Nests in old hawk nest or opening in cliff. Breeding season begins in late winter.
Feeding:
Fierce hunter; captures a wide variety of prey: rodents, small mammals, birds including other species of owls and hawks, fish, amphibians, household pets, skunks, rabbits, and porcupines.
Field Notes

Large male. no calls made.
Citation: Personal Experience. I observe this regularly, highly confident.
Expanded Life History
Feed Ecology And Diet | Contribute Content |
Nesting Habits | Contribute Content |
Migration Status | Contribute Content |
Conservation Status | Contribute Content |
Local Sites to Spot | Contribute Content |
Abundance Status | Contribute Content |
Adult Male Description | Contribute Content |
Adult Female Description | Contribute Content |
ITIS Taxonomic Number | Contribute Content |
Sonogram | Contribute Content |
Courtship | Contribute Content |
Reproductive Characteristics | Contribute Content |
Relationship to Humans | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Size & Shape | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Color & Pattern | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Habitat | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Behavior | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Wingspan | Contribute Content |
ID Tips - Weight | Contribute Content |
Breeding | Contribute Content |
Cool Facts | Contribute Content |
Local Knowledge | Contribute Content |
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Sightings
Date | Submitted By | Count |
---|---|---|
09/04/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
09/04/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/14/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
08/14/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/24/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/24/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/17/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/17/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/10/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/10/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/03/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
07/03/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
06/26/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
06/26/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
06/19/18 | Steven Mauvais, OR | # |
Recent Activity
Activity | Date & Time |
---|---|
James Henley added a note to Great Horned Owl Notes | 1/25/2014 at 3:59PM |
Dave Irons answered a question for the Great Horned Owl | 8/27/2011 at 10:31PM |
dawn villaescusa asked a question for the Great Horned Owl | 8/27/2011 at 10:00PM |