Great Horned Owl Facts
Bubo virginianus
Great horned owls are adaptable nocturnal predators found from Arctic woodland to tropical forest and city parks. Powerful talons and near-silent flight allow them to take an unusually broad range of prey.
- Habitat
- Forest
- Diet
- Rodents, rabbits, birds, reptiles, and other small animals
- Lifespan
- 13–28 years
Great Horned Owl Facts at a Glance
Great horned owls are adaptable nocturnal predators found from Arctic woodland to tropical forest and city parks. Powerful talons and near-silent flight allow them to take an unusually broad range of prey.
It belongs to the family Strigidae in the order Strigiformes. This profile is designed as a concise starting point; source links below support further reading.
Great Horned Owl Habitat
Great Horned Owls live in Forest and Grassland and Urban habitats across The Americas. Their range depends on places that provide suitable food, shelter, and conditions for raising young.
What Do Great Horned Owls Eat?
Great Horned Owls are carnivore animals. Their diet includes Rodents, rabbits, birds, reptiles, and other small animals, and the food available in their habitat shapes how they find, hunt, or forage for meals.
Great Horned Owl Lifespan, Size, and Weight
A great horned owl typically lives for 13–28 years. Adults measure about 46–64 cm and weigh around 0.9–2.5 kg; these ranges can vary with sex, age, habitat, and access to food.
Great Horned Owl Conservation Status
Great Horned Owl is listed here as Least Concern. Protecting habitat, maintaining healthy prey or food sources, and reducing human pressure are important parts of conserving wild populations.
Quick facts
- Region
- The Americas
- Habitat
- Forest, Grassland, Urban
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Lifespan
- 13–28 years
- Size
- 46–64 cm
- Weight
- 0.9–2.5 kg
Fun facts
- The horn-like tufts on the head are feathers rather than ears.
- Soft-edged flight feathers reduce turbulence and help muffle wing noise.
- Females are generally larger than males, as in many birds of prey.
- They often reuse nests built by hawks, crows, or other large birds.
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Sources and image credit
Animal facts are reviewed against the references below. The photograph remains available under its linked license.
