Did you know a Great Horned Owl’s eyes are about the size of ping-pong balls? This owl is special because it is one of North America’s most powerful and widespread owls. Keep reading if you want to learn more about Horned owls and their fun facts!
What Does a Great Horned Owl Look Like?
The Great Horned Owl is a majestic creature that has:
- Wingspan of 36-60 inches
- Length of 18-25 inches
- They have sexual dimorphism where females are often larger than males
- They have plumage colors and patterns such as mottled browns, barred underparts, facial discs
- They have tufts (horns) on their heads, that are feathers, not ears
- Owls can not move their eyes, so they rotate their heads to look around
- Their talons and feet have a powerful grip
- Their wing structure allows silent flight due to fringed and soft-edged feathers that reduce noise
Great Horned Owl Hunting, Diet & Behavior
This beautiful bird is Nocturnal, which means they are active at night, but sometimes they are active in daylight if prey is vulnerable or sometimes during the winter. These birds hunt through these strategies:
- Perch
- Watch
- Swoop or Glide to catch the prey
What Do Great Horned Owls Hunt and How Do They Catch Their Prey?
Great Horned Owls have a very broad diet as they are Carnivores (meat eaters). Their diet consists of:
- Rabbits
- Small and sometimes large birds
- Reptiles (lizards, snakes, etc.)
- Amphibians (frogs, etc.)
- Insects
Where Can You Find Great Horned Owls in the Wild?
Great Horned Owls are very adaptable and they live across various places like:
- Forests
- Deserts
- Tundra edges
- Urban edges
Great Horned Owl Voices & Sounds
These creatures have a signature hoot and it sounds like “hoo-hoo-hoo”. These sounds advertise territorial areas and male and female calls and pitch vary. Try to mimic the sound of a Great Horned Owl “hoo-hoo-hoo”.
Fun Facts About Horned Owls
- Did you know owls turn heads 270° but can’t spin full circle?
- A group of owls is called a “parliament”
- The oldest Great Horned Owl on record was at least 28 years old when it was found in Ohio in 2005
- Great Horned Owls sometimes hunt other owls (including barred owls)
- These owls may sometimes be active in daylight if hungry or prey is exposed
- Their wing feathers are built for silent flight using specialized edges and soft textures
Conclusion
Great Horned Owls are powerful and adaptable hunters of the night. This creature is a very important part of the ecosystem, just like any other animal they have amazing secrets about them as well. Children you should always be eager to learn more about your surroundings and the animals around you, listen to these owls hooting at dusk and ask experts about these local owls if you can. Keep on reading and learning fun facts about different animals!
External Links
The Alaska Zoo – Great Gray, Great Horned and Short-eared Owls