Great Horned Owl - Master Predator

     Today's featured feathered friend is the Great Horned Owl.  They have the largest range of any North American Owl.  They can be found year round from the Arctic to the southern most parts of South America.  They are the third largest Owl of the Americas, behind the Great Gray and Snowy, and the second heaviest behind the Snowy.
     The Great Horned is a very large Owl, with a rectangular head, large body and widely spaced ear tufts (Note: the ear tufts are simply tufts of feathers on their crowns, they are NOT ears).  Adults have yellow eyes, broad reddish-brown to gray facial disk, dark barring on belly with feathered legs and feet.  Females are larger than males, otherwise they are similar in appearance.  The chicks are covered with fluffy white down.  Juveniles are like adults but lack ear tufts and maintain much of the down on their heads.  There are many subspecies of Great Horned Owls, so their coloration and size differs by  region.  Generally, they are 22 inches in length, weigh just over three pounds with a wingspan of 49 inches.
     The Great Horned Owl is the only bird that hunts and consumes skunks.  Check out the links provided below for the vast listing of it's potential prey, and much more fascinating information about this interesting species.  Enjoy these photo of a master predator, the Great Horned Owl.....tweet.....tweet!!

Adult Great Horned Owls at the nest.
(Taken 1/22/13, Punta Gorda FL)
(Chick is visable on the nest)

Great Horned Owl chicks
(Taken 1/22/13, Punta Gorda FL)

Great Horned Owl
(Taken 2/16/12, Our neighbor's backyard)

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Horned_Owl/id

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Horned_Owl