| MRCC Ambassador Raptors |
| Bu Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) Adult Male Weight: 3-5 pounds Wingspan: 48 inches Length: 23 inches |
Male and female Great Horned Owl plumages are similar; however, overall size, behavior,
and vocalizations can differentiate the sexes.
Great Horned owls begin nesting in February, and often use stick nests made by other
birds, such as hawks, crows, ravens, and herons. They also use tree hollows, cliff
cavities, and broken-topped snags.
Two to three eggs are laid and incubated for 30-35 days. Nestlings are cared for by both
parents and fledge when they are 9-10 weeks old.
Great Horned Owls have large yellow eyes that can take in a lot of light at night.
Because their eyes are fixed in their sockets, they must turn their head to look for prey or
predators. Owls can turn their head 270 degrees, or 3/4 of a circle They also use their
hearing for searching out prey.
On display by permission of the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service.
(Federal Permit #PRT-810728)
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This owl was found out of the nest,
as a nestling in Billings, MT. in March
1999. He was imprinted by his
human caretakers and subsequently
admitted to MRCC. When a bird is
imprinted on humans it cannot be
released back into the wild. When it
matures and looks for food or a
mate, it may turn to a human.
Transferred to MRCC in August 1999.
as a nestling in Billings, MT. in March
1999. He was imprinted by his
human caretakers and subsequently
admitted to MRCC. When a bird is
imprinted on humans it cannot be
released back into the wild. When it
matures and looks for food or a
mate, it may turn to a human.
Transferred to MRCC in August 1999.
| photo by Ellen Goff |