The Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) is a large, formidable bird of prey native to the Americas. This highly adaptable species is one of the most widely distributed owls in the Western Hemisphere, ranging from the Arctic to the tropics. It is a powerful, nocturnal hunter, active from dusk until dawn, utilizing keen senses and silent flight to capture prey. Its reputation as a relentless predator has earned it the nickname “tiger of the sky.”
Defining the Great Horned Owl’s Ecological Role
The Great Horned Owl functions as an apex predator in most ecosystems it inhabits. Its physical attributes support this dominance, including a wingspan up to five feet and a body weight typically between two and five and a half pounds. The owl’s powerful, feathered feet end in sharp talons capable of delivering a crushing force of up to 28 pounds per square inch. This force is often used to sever the spine of large prey. This combination of size, strength, and predatory skill effectively deters nearly all potential attackers, meaning a healthy, full-grown owl has very few natural threats.
Documented Natural Predators
The list of animals that successfully prey on an adult Great Horned Owl is exceptionally short, with such events being documented rarities.
Avian Predators
The only serious avian threats come from other large raptors that engage in opportunistic or territorial attacks. These include the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and, occasionally, the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) during nesting disputes. Intraspecific conflict is also a danger, as adult Great Horned Owls are known to kill and consume other owls, including members of their own species, during intense territorial disputes.
Mammalian Predators
Large mammalian carnivores are sometimes documented preying on adult owls, but this occurs when the owl is grounded or incapacitated. Coyotes (Canis latrans), bobcats (Lynx rufus), and foxes may occasionally attack an owl caught feeding on the ground. These predators are far more likely to target young, inexperienced owls rather than engage a fully grown raptor. The owl’s size and aggressive defense mechanisms make an attack a high-risk proposition for most terrestrial predators.
Vulnerable Life Stages and Situations
The Great Horned Owl is most vulnerable during its early life stages, before achieving full size and predatory competence.
Eggs and Nestlings
Eggs and newly hatched nestlings are susceptible to predation from medium-sized climbers that raid unguarded nests. These include raccoons (Procyon lotor) and American black bears (Ursus americanus). Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and Common Ravens (Corvus corax) also destroy or consume eggs and small owlets, often in retaliation for the owl preying on their young.
Fledglings and Adults
The period when owlets begin to “branch” out of the nest, around six weeks of age, is particularly dangerous. Before they can fly well (typically 10 to 12 weeks), fledglings may fall to the forest floor, becoming easy targets for terrestrial predators like foxes and coyotes. Adults become vulnerable if they are injured, sick, or caught in a debilitating situation. An owl intensely focused on protecting a recent kill on the ground (mantling) can also be vulnerable to ambush by a larger mammal.