The Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) is a powerful nocturnal predator, widely recognized across the Americas. Sometimes called the “tiger owl” due to its aggressive hunting style, this large owl exhibits remarkable adaptability. Its widespread distribution across diverse habitats, from deserts and forests to grasslands and urban areas, makes it one of North America’s most common owls.
Mammalian Prey
Mammals form a significant portion of the Great Horned Owl’s diet. Common mammalian prey includes rodents such as mice, voles, and rats, along with rabbits, hares, squirrels, muskrats, and shrews.
Beyond smaller animals, Great Horned Owls are capable of taking down larger mammals like skunks, opossums, domestic cats, and small dogs. Their diet can also include mink, marmots, and occasionally porcupines.
Avian Prey and Other Vertebrates
Great Horned Owls also prey on a diverse range of birds, including smaller songbirds, game birds like grouse and pheasants, and various waterfowl such as ducks and geese. They also hunt other raptors, including smaller owls, hawks, and even nestling bald eagles.
Their diet can broaden to include reptiles like snakes and lizards, and amphibians such as frogs and toads, especially when readily available in specific habitats or warmer climates. They may also consume insects, scorpions, crustaceans, and occasionally fish, particularly if nesting near water sources.
Hunting Strategies
Great Horned Owls are primarily nocturnal hunters, though they may hunt at dusk or even during the day, especially in winter or when food is scarce. They possess exceptional hearing and keen eyesight in low-light conditions, which are crucial for locating prey in darkness. Their large, yellow eyes are optimized for night vision, enhancing light detection.
A key hunting technique involves perching and waiting, scanning the ground below from a high vantage point. Once prey is spotted, they swoop down silently to capture it with their powerful talons.
Their silent flight is a result of specialized feather structures, including serrations on the leading edge of their wings and a velvety surface, which break up turbulent air and muffle sound. This allows them to approach prey undetected, striking with talons that can exert immense gripping force to subdue their catch. Great Horned Owls also adapt their hunting methods, sometimes flying low over open areas, walking on the ground, or even wading into water to pursue prey.