North American field guide
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
Also known as:Cat Owl
Identification
Field notes
46-63 cm (18-25") Common and widespread throughout North America. Varied habitats; forests, thickets, open areas, deserts, suburbs.
Large yellow eyes and widely spaced ear tufts or "horns" gives it a catlike appearance. Larger size, white throat, and finely barred breast and belly distinguish it from Long-eared Owl. Much larger than crows that often pester it.
Mostly nocturnal.
Song: resonant hooting.
Details in the field
Photo gallery
Watch and learn
Videos
Great Horned Owls
Credit: johnfredeenGreat Horned Owl feeding babies
Credit: Pamela FleischmannWhere it lives
Distribution maps
Source legend · original intervals
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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence
Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.
Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant · 1 rule
These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.
Great Horned Owl
1 ruleRule 1 7 criteria · confidence 6
- Did the owl have EAR TUFTS ?
- Yes · Unknown
- What SHAPE was the BILL ?
- Hooked · Unknown
- What LENGTH was the BILL ?
- Very short · Short · Unknown
- What colour were the EYES ?
- White or light gray · Yellow or olive · Unknown
- What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?
- Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
- How BIG was the bird ?
- Crow-sized · Goose-sized
- What TYPE of bird was seen ?
- Owl