great horned owl (Bubo virginianus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 20 inches Wingspan: 55 inches

• Sexes similar

• Very large owl with prominent ear tufts

• Yellow eyes and dark bill

• Upperparts mottled brown, gray, and black

• Pale underparts with fine brown bars

• Reddish-brown facial disks bordered by black with a lower border of         white

• White throat patch

• Pale gray form inhabits northern Canada

Similar species:

Only the long-eared owl shares the red facial disks and prominent ear
tufts, but is much smaller and slenderer, is barred and streaked on the
belly, lacks the white throat, and has its ear tufts set closer together.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Permanent resident
Breeding Habitat: N/A
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: N/A
Clutch Size: 1-4
Length of Incubation: 26-35 days
Days to Fledge: 35
Number of Broods: 1
Diet: Mostly small mammals; lesser quantities of birds, reptiles or amphib-

   ians

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May U
      Su - Summer: June, July, August U
      Fall: September, October, November U

      Winter: December, January, February U

 

 

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