Photos
About Great Horned Owl
Hunts at night, using acute hearing and exceptional vision to locate preyPerches in trees or on power poles, scanning for preyEngages in monogamous breeding, with pairs forming during breeding seasonFemales lay 2-4 eggs, which are incubated for approximately 30 daysBoth parents care for young, which leave the nest after approximately 6-8 weeks
Size
55 - 65 cm
Weight
900 - 1400 g
Lifespan
up to 20-30 years
Diet
Small mammals (voles, mice, rabbits, hares), Birds (songbirds, game birds, waterfowl), Reptiles (snakes, lizards), Amphibians (frogs, toads), Insects (grasshoppers, crickets, beetles)
Conservation Status
Status
Least Concern
Population Trend
stable
Threats
- Habitat loss and fragmentation
- Climate change
- Human persecution (shooting, trapping)
Additional Notes
The Great Horned Owl is a widespread and relatively common species in North and South America, but its population is declining in some parts of its range due to habitat loss, climate change, and human persecution.
Distribution
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Western United States
North America • United States
Canada
North America • Canada
South America
South America • Argentina, Chile, Peru
The Great Horned Owl is a widespread species found in North and South America, inhabiting forests, woodlands, and urban areas.