22-8-2022 ATHENS ZOO, GREECE - GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/20044-Bubo-virginianus

1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus)

The Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus), also known as the tiger owl or the hoot owl, is a formidable avian predator native to the Americas. This species is highly adaptable, with a vast range, and is recognized as the most widely distributed true owl in the Americas. Its plumage is generally mottled brown with barring, aiding in camouflage, and it possesses a distinctive white throat patch. The Great Horned Owl is one of the earliest nesting birds in North America.

This large owl has prominent ear tufts, known as plumicorns, which are thought to play a role in visual communication. Its eyes are among the largest of terrestrial vertebrates, and its face is framed by a facial disc, which can vary in color. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females typically larger than males.

Great Horned Owls can be found in a variety of habitats, including deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests, tropical rainforests, prairies, deserts, tundra, and even urban areas. They prefer areas where open habitats and woods are juxtaposed.

Their breeding habitat extends high into the subarctic of North America and down into South America to upland regions of Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru.

Great Horned Owls are primarily nocturnal, with activity peaking at night. They are known for their silent flight, facilitated by specialized feather structure. These owls are territorial and may use the same territory throughout their lives. They are also known for their aggressive defense of their nests.

The call of the Great Horned Owl is a series of deep hoots, often transcribed as "ho-ho-hoo hoo hoo." The female's call is higher in pitch. Vocalizations can vary from hoots to screeches and barks, especially when disturbed or during courtship.

Great Horned Owls are early breeders, with courtship beginning in late fall. They do not build their own nests but instead take over those made by other large birds. Clutch size ranges from 1 to 6 eggs, with incubation primarily by the female.

Their diet is diverse, primarily consisting of mammals and birds, including other raptors. They are capable hunters, taking prey ranging from small rodents to other birds of prey and even skunks.

1-4-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus)

The Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) 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. The Great horned owl is one of the earliest nesting birds in North America, often laying eggs weeks or even months before other raptorial birds.

The Great horned owl is a round-faced bird with a distinctive horn-shaped feather tuft on the crown of its head, which is darker than the rest of its head, promoting the overall camouflage. The owl possesses powerful, solid legs, feet, and claws. The Great horned owl has binocular vision due to its eyes, facing forward. The eyes of the horned owl are various shades of yellow. This bird can also be distinguished by the white colored patch on its throat. Black and brown stripes extend all over the white underbelly. The bill of the bird is black, surrounded by white or tan colored plumage. The plumage on their back is darker, covered with brown and black markings.

This owl is native to the Americas with its range, covering the greater part of North America, stretching to Central America, and reaching South America. The Great horned owl occurs primarily in woodlands and open fields, scattered throughout its range. However, the species can also be found in mangroves, grasslands, swampy and marshy areas as well as deserts. In addition, this bird occasionally inhabits human settlements, found throughout rural and urban areas.

These birds are solitary animals, socializing only for nesting. They usually roost by day in protected places such as a tree limb or a recess in a rock. Great horned owls are efficient nighttime hunters, though they are known to hunt in the daytime as well. Horned owls are non-migratory, remaining within the same area throughout the year. Some individuals may become "territorial floaters", not having a certain territory and constantly traveling through territories of other owls. These birds use hooting as a form of communication. Through hooting, they can search for mates during the mating season as well as set up territorial dominance.

Great horned owls have a monogamous mating system and form long-lasting pair bonds. Typically, the mated pairs are territorial, driving away other pairs from their territory in order to have full access to prey. By the mating season, the birds begin hooting with increased intensity, looking for mates. Female owls hoot only during this period while males normally hoot all year round. Breeding season takes place from November to April. The mating pair finds a nest, which is usually one, abandoned by a squirrel or another bird, including a Great horned owl. The female may lay up to 6 eggs with an average of 2-3. Both parents take part in the incubation for 30-35 days. After hatching, both parents provide the chicks with food. Young fledge by 6-9 weeks old, becoming independent at the age of 5-10 weeks. Reproductive maturity is achieved between 1 and 3 years of age.

19-3-2017 MIAMI, FLORIDA - GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus)

                                     

The Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) 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. The Great horned owl is one of the earliest nesting birds in North America, often laying eggs weeks or even months before other raptorial birds.

The Great horned owl is a round-faced bird with a distinctive horn-shaped feather tuft on the crown of its head, which is darker than the rest of its head, promoting the overall camouflage. The owl possesses powerful, solid legs, feet, and claws. The Great horned owl has binocular vision due to its eyes, facing forward. The eyes of the horned owl are various shades of yellow. This bird can also be distinguished by the white colored patch on its throat. Black and brown stripes extend all over the white underbelly. The bill of the bird is black, surrounded by white or tan colored plumage. The plumage on their back is darker, covered with brown and black markings.

This owl is native to the Americas with its range, covering the greater part of North America, stretching to Central America, and reaching South America. The Great horned owl occurs primarily in woodlands and open fields, scattered throughout its range. However, the species can also be found in mangroves, grasslands, swampy and marshy areas as well as deserts. In addition, this bird occasionally inhabits human settlements, found throughout rural and urban areas.

These birds are solitary animals, socializing only for nesting. They usually roost by day in protected places such as a tree limb or a recess in a rock. Great horned owls are efficient nighttime hunters, though they are known to hunt in the daytime as well. Horned owls are non-migratory, remaining within the same area throughout the year. Some individuals may become "territorial floaters", not having a certain territory and constantly traveling through territories of other owls. These birds use hooting as a form of communication. Through hooting, they can search for mates during the mating season as well as set up territorial dominance.

18-9-1992 WHITTIER, ALASKA - GREAT HORNED OWL (Bubo virginianus)

This owl is native to the Americas with its range, covering the greater part of North America, stretching to Central America, and reaching South America. The Great horned owl occurs primarily in woodlands and open fields, scattered throughout its range. However, the species can also be found in mangroves, grasslands, swampy and marshy areas as well as deserts. In addition, this bird occasionally inhabits human settlements, found throughout rural and urban areas.

These birds are solitary animals, socializing only for nesting. They usually roost by day in protected places such as a tree limb or a recess in a rock. Great horned owls are efficient nighttime hunters, though they are known to hunt in the daytime as well. Horned owls are non-migratory, remaining within the same area throughout the year. Some individuals may become "territorial floaters", not having a certain territory and constantly traveling through territories of other owls. These birds use hooting as a form of communication. Through hooting, they can search for mates during the mating season as well as set up territorial dominance.