Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
-These widespread and common large owls are known for their hunting abilities, preying upon small and medium-sized mammals, birds of varying sizes, reptiles, and large insects
-Great horned owls of the north have been found storing uneaten prey only to incubate it later before eating
-They vary in color from white to dark brown to gray, but they have prominent ear tufts making them recognizable
-These owls begin nesting earlier than most birds of prey, in late winter, and utilize little to no nesting material but rather acquire another bird’s leftover nest or simply utilize the terrain such as a stump or cliff ledge
-Offspring: typically 2-3 eggs that are incubated by the female
HERE AT ALAMEDA:
Can owls turn their heads all the way around when facing forward? No, they cannot complete a full 360° circle, but they can turn it about ¾ of the way around. That means, if facing forward, the owl can turn its head say over its left shoulder, so that its body is facing forward and its face is facing backward, and then turn its head a little further just over the right shoulder. That’s a huge range of motion that helps in detecting prey!
Bubo virginianus
-These widespread and common large owls are known for their hunting abilities, preying upon small and medium-sized mammals, birds of varying sizes, reptiles, and large insects
-Great horned owls of the north have been found storing uneaten prey only to incubate it later before eating
-They vary in color from white to dark brown to gray, but they have prominent ear tufts making them recognizable
-These owls begin nesting earlier than most birds of prey, in late winter, and utilize little to no nesting material but rather acquire another bird’s leftover nest or simply utilize the terrain such as a stump or cliff ledge
-Offspring: typically 2-3 eggs that are incubated by the female
HERE AT ALAMEDA:
Can owls turn their heads all the way around when facing forward? No, they cannot complete a full 360° circle, but they can turn it about ¾ of the way around. That means, if facing forward, the owl can turn its head say over its left shoulder, so that its body is facing forward and its face is facing backward, and then turn its head a little further just over the right shoulder. That’s a huge range of motion that helps in detecting prey!