Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus (Gmelin, JF, 1788)

Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus, breeds widely across North America, Middle America and South America. It is a true owl of the Americas and one of the most broadly spread owls on the continent. Often called the tiger owl or hoot owl, it is a large species. It is also noted for its very flexible range and for being among the earliest nesting birds in North America, with eggs laid well before many other birds of prey. The species was described by Gmelin in 1788 and belongs to the family Strigidae.

Order

Strigiformes

Family

Strigidae — Owls

Breeding range

North America, Middle America, South America: widespread