Owls (Strigidae)
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus. Powerful generalist — rabbits, skunks, other owls, ducks and rodents.
Owls (Strigidae)Great Horned OwlBubo virginianus
- Scientific name
- Bubo virginianus
- Length
- 18.1–24.8 in
- Weight
- 32.1–88.2 oz
- Nest
- Reuses old hawk, crow or heron nests; also ledges and cavities
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 1–4 eggs
- Incubation
- 28–37 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Large owl with prominent ear tufts ('horns')
- White throat patch and heavy barring below
- Yellow eyes
Voice
Deep, booming 'hoo-hoo hoooo hoo-hoo' duets in winter.
Diet and feeding
Powerful generalist — rabbits, skunks, other owls, ducks and rodents.
What do great horned owls eat? · Best feeder for great horned owls
Great Horned Owls by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | April |
| Alaska | Year-round resident | February–April |
| Alberta | Year-round resident | February–April |
| Arizona | Year-round resident | April |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | January–April |
| British Columbia | Year-round resident | February–April |
| California | Year-round resident | April |
| Colorado | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Florida | Year-round resident | April |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | April |
| Idaho | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Iowa | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | April |
| Maine | Year-round resident | February–April |
| Manitoba | Year-round resident | February–April |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Michigan | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Minnesota | Year-round resident | February–April |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | April |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Montana | Year-round resident | February–April |
| Nebraska | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Nevada | Year-round resident | January–April |
| New Brunswick | Year-round resident | February–April |
| New Hampshire | Year-round resident | February–April |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | January–April |
| New Mexico | Year-round resident | January–April |
| New York | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Year-round resident | February–April |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | January–April |
| North Dakota | Year-round resident | February–April |
| Northwest Territories | Year-round resident | February–April |
| Nova Scotia | Year-round resident | February–April |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Ontario | Year-round resident | February–April |
| Oregon | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Prince Edward Island | Year-round resident | February–April |
| Quebec | Year-round resident | February–April |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Saskatchewan | Year-round resident | February–April |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | April |
| South Dakota | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Texas | Year-round resident | April |
| Utah | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Vermont | Year-round resident | February–April |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Washington | Year-round resident | January–April |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | January–April |
| Wisconsin | Year-round resident | February–April |
| Wyoming | Year-round resident | February–April |
| Yukon | Year-round resident | February–April |
Frequently asked
What do great horned owls eat?
Powerful generalist — rabbits, skunks, other owls, ducks and rodents. At feeders: none — hunts live prey after dark.
How big is a Great Horned Owl?
18.1–24.8 in long and 32.1–88.2 oz.
Do great horned owls use birdhouses?
No. Reuses old hawk, crow or heron nests; also ledges and cavities.
Sources
- Great Horned Owl — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Great Horned Owl life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Great Horned Owl — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.