Great horned owls are the most common owls in Minnesota and perhaps the most adaptable on the continent. Like all owls, they are excellent hunters, with silent flight, night vision, sensitive hearing, large talons and hooked beaks.

What They Eat

These owls hunt at night using their excellent hearing and vision to zero in on small mammals such as mice, voles, squirrels and rabbits. They will also eat other birds, reptiles, frogs, insects, and even skunks.

Where They Live

At least a dozen great horned owl subspecies can be found throughout North America and large parts of South America. Great horned owls live in a variety of habitats, provided there are sufficient open wooded areas for hunting. Their habitat includes forest, farmland, mangroves, urban areas, desert, rocky areas, and fields with nearby woodlands. They are not found in dense rainforest or cloud forest.

What They Do

Great horned owls perch up high and quietly search for prey. They rely on their feathers for warmth, but also to keep them silent in flight while swooping down to catch prey with their sharp talons.

How They’re Doing

With a stable global population estimated to contain 5.3 million individuals, great horned owls are not threatened with extinction.

Where in the World

North America and South America

Habitat

Forest, Prairie, Desert, Rural, Urban

Conservation Status

conservationStatus_LC

Animal Facts

Length: 18 – 24 inches
Weight: Males 2.25 – 3.5 pounds, Females 3.25 – 5.5 pounds
Wingspan: 3-5 feet
Lifespan: up to 28 years

Taxonomic Category

Bird

Where at the Zoo

Minnesota Trail