Great Horned Owl

Hello! My name is the Great Horned Owl, but some people call me the 'Tiger Owl.' It's my special nickname because the feathers on my chest have brown and white stripes, just like a tiger. I have very big, round, yellow eyes that are perfect for seeing everything clearly when it’s dark outside. On top of my head, I have two feathery tufts that stick up. They look like horns, but they are just soft feathers that help me show how I am feeling. If you are ever outside at night, you might hear me call out. My famous hoot sounds like, 'Hoo-hoo hoo-hoo.' It’s my way of saying hello to the night.

I am a silent hunter of the night. When I fly, I don’t make a sound. My wings have special feathers with soft, fluffy edges that cut through the air without a single 'whoosh.' This helps me surprise my dinner. My hearing is another one of my superpowers. My face is flat and round, which helps catch sounds from far away and guide them to my ears. I can hear a tiny mouse rustling in the leaves from high up on a tree branch. Because my big eyes can’t move from side to side like yours can, I have a different trick. I can turn my head almost all the way around. This lets me look left, right, and even behind me without moving my body at all. It helps me stay watchful and safe.

When it is time to start a family, I don’t build my own nest. I am a clever recycler. I look for a cozy home that another animal has already built. Sometimes I find an old hawk’s nest high in a tree, or I might move into a comfy nest a squirrel left behind. A hollow spot in a big tree also makes a wonderful home for me and my owlets. When I hatch, I am just a little ball of fluffy white feathers. I grow up strong and learn to hunt from my parents. My owl family has been around for a very long time. In 1788, scientists gave us our official scientific name, which is Bubo virginianus.

My story ends with my very important job in nature. As a top predator, I help keep the world around me healthy and balanced. You can find me in forests, deserts, and even in parks in the middle of a city. By hunting small animals like mice and squirrels, I make sure there aren’t too many of them. This helps the plants and other animals in the ecosystem stay healthy. I love my role as a quiet helper of the environment. I am a proud and watchful guardian of the night.