Bu is an adult, male Great Horned Owl. He weighs about 2 lbs., with a wingspan of 48” and a length of 23”.

Male and female Great Horned Owl plumage is very similar. Their overall size, weight, and vocalizations are used as a means of differentiating between the sexes.

Great Horned Owls begin nesting in February and often use stick nests made by other birds, such as hawks, crows, and herons. They also use tree hollows, cliff cavities, or broken-topped snags. 2-3 eggs are laid every year 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 to help bring in as much light as possible at night. Because their eyes are fixed in the sockets, they must turn their heads to look for predators or prey. Owls can turn their heads 270 degrees, or about three-quarters of the way around.