Great Horned Owl

The Great Horned Owl, (Bubo virginianus; BEW-boh ver-jin-ih-AY-nus), also known as the Tiger Owl, is a large owl native to the Americas. It is an adaptable bird with a vast range and is the most widely distributed true owl in the Americas.

Other names
Big hoot owl, cat owl, chicken owl, eagle owl, hoot owl, horned owl, king owl, Virginia horned owl.

Description
The Great Horned Owl is a large owl with iconic yellow-orange eyes and two prominent feather tufts on the tops of their heads. These tufts gave the owl it's best-known name. The plumage of the owl can vary from a reddish brown to a grey or black and white. The underside is a light grey with dark bars and a white band of feathers on the throat. They have large feet that are feathered to the ends of the toes. The immature birds tend to resemble the adults. Females are 10-20% larger than males.

Similar species
Great Horned is larger than Long-eared Owl, Great Horned's ear tufts are more spread apart.

Diet
It takes any prey from insect size to hares, geese and turkeys. Here are some examples of its prey:

Calls
Call is a series of three to eight loud, deep hoots; second and third hoots often short and rapid. Juvenile birds give off a raspy begging call.