Great Horned Owl
(Bubo virginianus)
Great Horned Owls are distributed across New Jersey and North America. The large size (25 inches tall - 63 cm), pronounced widely spaced “ear” tufts, yellow eyes, white throat patch and barring on the belly area distinguish the GHO from other species, including the Long-eared Owl. For all owls with “ear” tufts (e.g., Long-eared Owl, Eastern Screech Owl, Short-eared Owl) the function(s) of the tufts has not been accurately determined although various hypotheses have been articulated - they communicate the owl’s disposition, act as a threat to potential predators and/or aid in concealment.
Great Horned Owls may be located in both canopied forests (deciduous, coniferous or mixed) and open fields, swamps and city parks. In other words, they have a wide amplitude with respect to habitat selection and have adapted to human altered habitats. The GHO is a NON MIGRANT. They remain all year in New Jersey, and they are widely distributed throughout the state. Utilizing the range of habitats just described, Great Horned Owls hunt, mainly at night for their food. Daytime hunting sometimes occurs. Generally, Great Horned Owls sit on a perch and when they spot their prey, they pounce. They are extraordinarily opportunistic predators - 253 species of prey have been identified. For example, they eat spiders, insects, crayfish, fish, salamanders, frogs, snakes, turtles, ducks, herons, pheasants, geese, rabbits, rats, mice, voles, skunks, opossum, muskrats and woodchucks. However, Great Horned Owls are predominantly predators on mammals, especially rabbits, hares, and large rodents (e.g., ground squirrels, rats and muskrats). Great Horned Owls also prey on other species of owls (e.g., Barred Owls, Barn Owls, Eastern Screech Owls, Northern Saw-whet Owls) with one exception - Snowy Owls.
Great Horned Owls do not build a nest. This behavior trait is characteristic of other owls as well. Instead they often use old nests made by other animals such as hawks, crows, eagles, herons or occasionally squirrels. They also will nest inside tree cavities, rock crevices or even on the ground. The nest may be lined with feathers, fur, crushed pellets, leaves or bark. Availability of food will contribute significantly to the number of eggs that are laid. Generally, four - eight eggs are laid asynchronously (at two day intervals rather than all at once) usually in late January to early February. Since it is extremely cold at this time, the female sits continually on the eggs while the male hunts for food. In about a month, the eggs hatch (note that it is still winter). The young leave the nest at about six weeks of age and by about seven weeks they are able to make short flights. However, they continue to be fed and protected by their parents.
Great Horned Owls will typically nest in forest habitat but hunt in both open and wooded areas.
Status
The Great Horned Owl is not threatened or endangered in New Jersey.
The Great Horned Owl is not threatened or endangered in New Jersey.
References:
Houston, C. Stuart, Dwight G. Smith and Christopher Rohner. 1998. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus). The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online:http://bna.birds.cornell.edu.bna/species/372
Johnsgard, P. A. 2002. North American Owls: biology and natural history. 2nd ed. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C.
Walsh, J., V. Elia, R. Kane and T. Halliwell. 1999. Birds of New Jersey. New Jersey Audubon Society. Bernardsville, NJ.
Houston, C. Stuart, Dwight G. Smith and Christopher Rohner. 1998. Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus). The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online:http://bna.birds.cornell.edu.bna/species/372
Johnsgard, P. A. 2002. North American Owls: biology and natural history. 2nd ed. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C.
Walsh, J., V. Elia, R. Kane and T. Halliwell. 1999. Birds of New Jersey. New Jersey Audubon Society. Bernardsville, NJ.
A Great Horned Owl parent on the left and two owlets that are being cared for.
The Great Horned Owl is a fierce predator that is seen here with a hare which is one of its favorite prey items. Great Horned Owls show variation in color - dark to pale - depending on their geographic location.
Great Horned Owls will often use stick nests (located in trees) that were constructed the previous year by hawks. They do not build their own nests.
Habitat Preference Summary
Great Horned Owls are widely distributed across New Jersey. However, they are less dense in the Pine Barrens and Inner Coastal Plains. It has been proposed that their reduced presence in the Pinelands may reflect the lack of adequate hunting space for the owls. Their flexibility with respect to habitat preference and prey selection, coupled with their large size, power and aggressive behavior enable them to meet their survival challenges throughout the entire year in New Jersey (and elsewhere). While they may have few natural enemies, the young are highly susceptible to death from starvation, severe weather conditions or falling from the nest. Some owls may be illegally shot while others are killed by hitting power lines or by vehicles.
Credits: Great Horned Owl (Outdoorsman|Dreamstime) / Great Horned Owl and Owlets (Ronnie Howard) / Habitat (Dorling Kindersley) / Great Horned Owl with Rabbit (Allan Brooks)
