Owls | American Owls | Great Horned Owl
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
The Great Horned Owl is one of the most aggressive owl species. In the breeding season, it will not hesitate in attacking predators (including humans) who stray too close to the nest site. Great Horned Owls hunt by perching on snags and poles and watching for prey, or by gliding slowly above the ground. From high perches they dive down to the ground with wings folded, before snatching prey.
| COMMON NAME | Great Horned Owl |
| SCIENTIFIC NAME | Athene cunicularia |
| STATUS | Least Concern |
| DISTRIBUTION | North & Central America and Northern South America |
| HABITAT | Dense forest, desert fringes, open plains, and city parks |
| NATURAL DIET | Rabbits, hares, rodents, and birds |
| HEIGHT | 430mm – 640mm |