Great horned owl
Bubo virginianus
Identification Tips:
- Sexes similar
- Very large owl with prominent ear tufts
- Yellow eyes and dark bill
- Upperparts mottled brown, gray, and black
- Pale underparts with fine brown bars
- Reddish-brown facial disks bordered by black with a lower border of white
- White throat patch
- Pale gray form inhabits northern Canada
Similar species:
Only the Long-eared Owl shares the red facial disks and prominent ear tufts,
but is much smaller and slenderer, is barred and streaked on the belly, lacks
the white throat, and has its ear tufts set closer together.