With its long, earlike tufts, intimidating yellow-eyed stare, and deep hooting voice, the Great Horned Owl is the quintessential owl of storybooks. This powerful predator can take down birds and mammals even larger than itself, but it also dines on daintier fare such as tiny scorpions, mice, and frogs.

Found almost throughout North America and much of South America is this big owl. Aggressive and powerful in its hunting (sometimes known by nicknames such as 'tiger owl'), it takes prey as varied as rabbits, hawks, snakes, and even skunks, and will even attack porcupines, often with fatal results for both prey and predator.

The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), also known as the tiger owl (originally derived from early naturalists' description as the "winged tiger" or "tiger of the air") [3] or the hoot owl, [4] is a large owl native to the Americas. It is an extremely adaptable bird with a vast range and is the most widely distributed true owl in the Americas. [5]

With its long, earlike tufts, intimidating yellow-eyed stare, and deep hooting voice, the Great Horned Owl is the quintessential owl of storybooks. This powerful predator can take down birds and mammals even larger than itself, but it also dines on daintier fare such as tiny scorpions, mice, and frogs.

Adult Screech Owls (Otus asio) are often confused as "baby" Great Horned Owls. There are a few differences to look for: Screech Owls have bone coloured beaks. Great Horned Owls, even babies, will have black beaks. Consider what time of year it is. If it is autumn, the bird is likely an adult bird of a small species (such as a Screech Owl).

The largest Great Horned Owls are the pale subarcticus subspecies birds in Canada, with males from 2.3-3.0 lbs and females 3.0-4.4 lbs. Some of the smallest are the pacificus subspecies birds in central and southern California, with males from 1.5-2.8 lbs and females 1.8-2.8 lbs. Iris is a well-fed, fairly large female.

Large and widespread owl with distinctive ear tufts. Found in a variety of habitats from dense woods to prairie and deserts with at least some trees. Also, found in wooded towns and suburbs. Typically well-camouflaged dark brown overall, but varies in color. Often engages in haunting duets, with males and females hooting back and forth.

Great Horned Owls are the most massive North American owl. They may appear smaller in stature at times than Great Gray or Snowy Owls but are heavier and more powerful and even known to prey on them. They have long, ear-like tufts …

The adult Great Horned is also the only large owl with prominent ear tufts. The larger size, bulky shape and white chest help to differentiate it from the similarly colored Long-eared Owl. The sexes are alike although the females have a slightly higher pitched and shorter sequence of …

The adult Great Horned Owl is a large bird. It is nearly two feet long, weighs almost three pounds (which is hefty for a flighted bird), and has an impressive almost four-foot wingspan. Their proportions are similar to the more familiar Red-tailed Hawk.