Great Horned Owl
Family:Strigidae (owls) in the order Strigiformes
A large owl with wide-set ear tufts, a reddish, brown or gray face and a white throat. The iris is yellow. The upper parts are mottled brown; the underparts are light with brown barring.
Size:Length: 22 inches (tip of bill to tip of tail).
Habitat and conservation:Great horned owls are found in many habitats, from deep forests to urban areas.
Foods:Prey includes mice, insects, crows, snakes and rabbits; great horned owls have been known to take barred owls, wild turkeys and other larger animals, including skunks.
Distribution in Missouri:Common statewide, in most habitats, from forest to urban areas.
Status:Common permanent resident.
Life cycle:These owls are nocturnal, with sharp eyes and keen hearing. They observe quietly from a high perch and swoop down to catch prey. Breeding occurs in late January or early February, following a few months of hooting. They often appropriate old nests of other large birds or squirrels but can also nest in cavities or other places. Clutches average 2 eggs, incubation lasts about a month, and young tend to stay near their parents until the next breeding season.
Human connections:Great horned owls help reduce populations of mice, rats and other rodents that can be troublesome for humans.
Ecosystem connections:As predators, great horned owls play an important role in the wildlife community. Their eggs and young are preyed upon by other predators, including foxes, coyotes and carnivores.