Birds · Raptors
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Least Concern
Owls are nocturnal birds of prey found on every continent except Antarctica, instantly recognizable by their large forward-facing eyes and quiet, near-silent flight. Their exceptional hearing lets them hunt effectively even in total darkness.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Strigiformes
Family: Strigidae (true owls)
Genus: Bubo
Species: virginianus
Related species: Snowy owl, barn owl, elf owl — order Strigiformes
Wingspan
3–4.8 feet; the largest owl species can exceed 6 feet.
Weight
2–5.5 lbs, with females larger than males.
Habitat
Forest, grassland, desert, and tundra, depending on species.
Description
Mottled brown plumage, prominent ear tufts, and large yellow eyes.
Diet
Carnivore — rodents, rabbits, insects, and small birds.
Flight
Near-silent, thanks to specialized comb-like feather edges that muffle airflow.
Hearing
Exceptional — able to pinpoint prey moving under snow or foliage in total darkness.
Head Rotation
Up to 270 degrees, compensating for eyes that can't move within their sockets.
Clutch Size
Typically 1–4 eggs, incubated for about 30–37 days.
Sexually Mature
Around 1–2 years of age.
Life Span
5–15 years in the wild.
Social Structure
Mostly solitary and territorial outside of breeding season.
Did You Know?
An owl can't move its eyes — it must turn its whole head, up to 270 degrees, to look around.
Did You Know?
Some owls can hear a mouse moving under a foot of snow.
Did You Know?
Special comb-like edges on an owl's flight feathers break up turbulent air, letting it fly almost silently.
Types of Owls
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus — widespread across the Americas
Bubo virginianus — widespread across the Americas
Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacus — Arctic tundra specialist
Bubo scandiacus — Arctic tundra specialist
Barn Owl
Tyto alba — most widely distributed owl species
Tyto alba — most widely distributed owl species
Elf Owl
Micrathene whitneyi — smallest owl species
Micrathene whitneyi — smallest owl species
Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Bubo bubo — one of the largest owl species
Bubo bubo — one of the largest owl species
Owl in Foreign Languages
Frenchhibou / chouette
GermanEule
Italiangufo
Portuguesecoruja
Spanishbúho
Russiansova
Polishsowa
Japanesefukurō
Mandarinmāotóuyīng
Koreanbueongi
Dutchuil
Swedishuggla
Norwegianugle
Finnishpöllö
