Great Horned Owl

About the Great Horned Owl

Also known as: Hoot Owl, Cat Owl, Winged Tiger

The Great Horned Owl is a large owl native to North and South America. It is an adaptable bird with a vast range, though it is not as widespread as the Barn Owl.

Generally, the largest owls are found closer to the Polar regions and the smallest owls are found closer to the Equator, while females are larger than males. Adults have large ear tufts, a reddish, brown or gray face and a white patch on the throat. The iris is yellow. The ear tufts are not actually ears, but simply tufts of feathers.

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Details & Statistics

Added to Birdorable
Hatched on 25 July 2007
Scientific Name
Bubo virginianus
  • Strigiformes
  • Strigidae
  • Bubo
  • B. virginianus
Birdorable Family
Conservation Status
Least Concern (as of 5 April 2020)
LC
  • Least Concern (LC)
  • Near Threatened (NT)
  • Vulnerable (VU)
  • Endangered (EN)
  • Critically Endangered (CR)
  • Extinct in the Wild (EW)
  • Extinct (EX)
Source: IUCN Red List
Measurements
Units: Imperial / Metric
18 to 27 inches
40 to 60.5 inches
50 ounces

Range

International Names

Brazilian (Português brasileiro) Jacurutu
Chinese (汉语) 美洲雕鸮
Czech (Cesky) Výr Virginský
Danish (Dansk) Amerikansk Stor
Dutch (Nederlands) Amerikaanse oehoe
Finnish (Suomi) Amerikanhuuhkaja
French (Français) Grand-duc d'Amérique
German (Deutsch) Virginia-Uhu
Italian (Italiano) Gufo della Virginia
Japanese (日本語) アメリカワシミミズク (Amerikawashimimizuku)
Korean (한국어) 수리부엉이 (Suribueongi)
Norwegian (Norsk) Amerikahubro
Polish (Polski) Puchacz Wirginijski
Russian (русский язык) Американский филин
Spanish (Español) Bubo virginianus
Swedish (Svenska) Virginiauv
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