The great horned owl gets its name from the distinctive horn-shaped tufts of
feathers at either side of its head. Its skill as a night hunter and its ability
to thrive in a variety of conditions have enabled this bird to adapt
successfully to a wide range of habitats. It lives in forests, prairies, farmland,
and low mountain areas throughout most of North and South America.
It is also sometimes found in suburban areas and city parks.
The great horned owl is a very large bird measuring 18-25 inches in length and
weighing 5-6 1/2 lbs. The owl's wings and feathers are designed for silent
flight.
The owl hunts wherever suitable prey is available. It eats rats,
mice, skunks, birds, fish, frogs, rabbits, and lizards. It hunts at night, using
its acute hearing and large sensitive eyes to locate its prey and then
silently swooping down to snatch up prey with its sharped, hooked, claws.
The great horned owl uses a variety of nesting sites. It may take over
a vacant twig-and-stick nest of another species or it may use a cavity in a
tree or between rocks. Sometimes the great horned owl nests in a farm building
or other man-made structure, or in a shallow hole in the ground. The female lays
one to five white eggs over a period of several days. She incubates the eggs alone.
The eggs hatch at different times after 26 to 35 days.
