The Mighty Great Horned Owl

The great horned owl is a fascinating bird with many unique adaptations. Known for their power and stealth, these birds are often regarded with mystery as they are not easily seen.

Their large stature and piercing yellow eyes command respect from all who gaze upon them. The owl's hooting in the dark of night creates a feeling of intrigue and curiosity. Whether seeing or hearing them, witnessing such a majestic creature is always a special and significant event.

Chapters
Introduction 00:00
Habitat 00:36
Similar Species 01:17
Vocalization 01:50
Unique Anatomical Features 03:27
They Will Eat Anything 09:21
Nesting 10:29
Who is the great horned afraid of, if anyone? 12:39
Conclusion 14:10

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[shellygregory]

I have a pair of Great Horned Owls that live in a tree directly in front of my house. They hoot and screech all night. And, all of the squirrels and other birds have almost all disappeared. In fact, I had a beautiful woodpecker that lived in a tree behind my house and he’s no longer around. I also had a young stray cat that wasn’t even a year old that came to live on my back porch. I had been feeding and watering him everyday and even made him a cat house. But, we recently went on a trip for a few days and when we got back home the cat was gone. We left plenty of food and water out for him so, I think the owls may have gotten him. One other thing, every evening when I go outside to water my flowers…..one of the owls (or both because I can’t tell them apart yet) flys down and lands on the ground near me and just looks at me for a couple of minutes and then flies back up into the tree. What is this about? Is it just a territorial thing? Should I be worried? I just water, and then I usually go back inside. But, it seems like an aggressive move so I thought maybe there was a nest….however, after watching your video I guess by this time of year the babies are hatched and gone correct? I have recorded the owl landing on the ground near me and taken a few pictures just to document it. Any advice?

[rogerdavis]

Yes definitely one of my all time favorites, especially listening to them at night...

[susanloch]

I rescued a Great Horned Owl and sent it to a raptor rehabilitation center and 3wks ago they brought him home and I took a short video of him leaving the cage and flying to the rain gutter on the barn

[RCKSTRRRR]

Doing a project on great horned owls this really helped!!

[bobsmith]

I have been following Great Horned owls at Giant Springs Park, Mt.(156 million gallons out put a day)The park has had a pair of owls for twenty years.The first pair was there for 11 years and had 1 to 3 chicks every year.The last year they had 3 chicks.In the winter the male died and the female left.So that summer the chicks stayed around.Then in the winter 1 of them found a mate and chased off the other two or they left to find a mate.They don't mate with there own siblings.The second pair never had chicks for 6 years then 2 years ago they had 2 chicks but that spring all 4 of them died from the bird flu.Then in the fall a new pair showed up and this spring they had 3 chicks.I have thousands of of pictures of the owls and other birds.

[carolwithers]

Excellent species life history! Colorado State University’s Nature Center had a Great-horned owl nest that I enjoyed observing whenever I visited the Center. One year there were 6 chicks in the nest, big bundles of white feathery fluff. It was hilarious to watch them when the temperatures were hot. To try to cool themselves they quickly fanned their neck feathers up and down. There is a predator Great-horned owls do have to be wary of if they fly during daylight hours. Peregrine falcons. I remember a video that was shown in my Nongame Wildlife class. It was of a Peregrine falcon hunting. The Peregrine saw a Great-horned owl flying below it, went into its steep 200mph dive, and when it hit the owl all you could see was a huge explosion of owl feathers. That owl didn’t have a chance.

[cindystechschulte]

Ive been watching a GHOwl raise 3 owlettes for past month and a half. Its fantastic! One fledged 2 nights ago. The largest, oldest one. A female named Zen. Excited for her. Miss seeing her daily though.
I didnt realize its 10 weeks till they do this. The other 2 r smaller, still fuzzy. Maybe a week more to go. Ill enjoy every day of it.

[ccburro]

This is a wonderful video—concise, “meaty”—to learn about this beautiful owl.

[wasabiginger]

Thank you for such a well researched and excellent presentation. I loved hearing about the Horned. I live in Hawai’i, so we don’t have them here. We have the native Pueo and introduced Barn owls. One night driving home I found a Barn owl sitting in the middle of the road and so picked it up. Unfortunately it’s neck was broken so nothing I could but make it as comfortable as possible. Just before it died in my lap, it had lots to say and wish I could have understood it. The next day I got to marvel at all of it’s amazing and so beautiful kinds of feathers. I gave it a proper burial and really sad so many get hit by cars.

[MsCaryopteris]

Thanks. We have a nesting pair next door. I’m used to their hoots, but the male was making other sounds this morning and I didn’t know what it was until he glided over me. The female had already glided over me. Huge.

[raphlvlogs]

owls are that widespread because they are very adaptable

[richardcosta]

The “tiger” of the nighttime forest. Amazing bird.

[cowboywoodard]

We have two our Ranch, and they are not afraid of us, one even let me near him .I'm in Flatonia Texas, we guard these owls for they eat snakes And Scorpions

[myronhansen]

About three in the morning in San Antonio strange sounds came from my next door neighbors trees where a large owl was also heard, it sounded like swan honking. I could not imagine an owl eating a swan in the tree. Are there other animals it could have been eating or the owl making that noise. After a while I saw the owl fly away.

[amandacousins]

Maybe can I adopt one from the humane society of the peninsula aspca

[robertmclean]

Tiger of the Sky. One of the few Animals that will Kill and Eat Skunks.

[kerrykestrowl]

I didn't know they had one brood a year and they are the biggest owl thanks for sharing please more videos about owls

[musicismagic]

This is interesting! Thank you so much for sharing! 😊

[tonyklymson]

Great info. clearly spoken, very well researched, Thank you !

[nagendrakavidayal]

It is very interesting to know about great horned owl of South and North America. I'm from India and to know about Indian cukko and hornbills. Can you please provide me the same on your utube?