缅北强奸

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Great Horned Owl

Who's Watching You?

Have you ever heard a very deep "hoo-hoo-hoo" echoing from the woods or have seen sharp yellow eyes glowing from the moonlight in a tree, you may have seen a Great Horned Owl!

Where Do We Live?

Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus) live across North America and have a population of 5.7 million. They can be found in trees, fields, wetlands and even near neighborhoods. Especially at night because they are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and hunt at night!

Our Homes

Sticks, leaves and bark are the materials used to make a nest for warmth and a safe place to lay eggs. Once the nest is ready, the female will lay 2 to 3 eggs and they will hatch in about 33 days.

great horned owl in flight

What's On the Menu?

They hunt small mammals like moles, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits and birds. They have no natural predators and most injuries are a result of human-caused problems. Elaine Kung, Wesselman Woods Wildlife Curator, explained that songbirds are known to target and harass them.

Our Wings

They are usually 18 to 24 inches in length, have a wingspan of 3 to 4 feet and weigh between 2 to 5.5 pounds. They have a mix of brown, grey and white feathers that help them blend into the trees in the forest. They are good at flying fast and quietly because their feathers muffle the sound, so prey can not hear them coming.

What's Our Lifespan?

They can live for more than 12 years out in the wild and easily 20 to 30 years in captivity. As powerful predators, they help control the population of small animals and keep ecosystems balanced.

How Do We Turn Our Heads So Far?

Have you ever noticed how easily owls can rotate their neck? This is because they have very large eyes supported by bones called sclerotic rings that prevent them from being able to move their eyes. Through evolution, they can rotate their necks 270 degrees in either direction and 90 degrees up and down.

Our "Horns"

They are easily identified by their "horns" on top of their heads, but really they are just feathers that help with camouflage and communication. Their ears are located further down the head, right at eye level, and one is higher than the other. When they hunt, it helps them know where they are and allows them to process sounds faster.

What Is A Raptor?

A raptor is a bird of prey; they hunt and eat other animals. They hunt with their sharp talons, strong beaks and very good eyesight. Great Horned Owls are very powerful raptors.