Great Horned Owls
Scientific Name: Bubo virginianus
Species Ambassadors:
Katherine the Great and Stan
Katherine (the larger owl) was found on the Nature Center's east loop trail in 1991 suffering from a fractured left wing. The wing did not heal properly, leaving her unable to catch prey or escape predators. Great Horned Owls mate for life, and every once in a while Katherine’s mate from the wild will visit and bring her gifts in the form of small rodents!
Stan was found at the Grattan Racetrack in 1988 with a broken wing. His wing fused in an awkward position during healing leaving him unable to fly to catch food and defend himself from predators in the wild.
Status of Great Horned Owls in Michigan
This species is a common year-round resident of Michigan.
Vocals
Great Horned Owls make four to six deep hoots: hoo-hoo-hoooo hoo-hoo or eat-my-food, I’ll-eat-you. They also can whinny like horse when irritated or in pain. The most common noise is the clicking sound made by their beaks.
Typical Hoo-hoo-hoo call: http://macaulaylibrary.org/audio/22874
Habitat
Great Horned Owls prefer forests with clearings, croplands, woodlots, meadows, riparian woodlands, and the wooded areas around suburban parks, landfills, and town dumps.
Diet
Great Horned Owls are the deadliest hunters in the owl family, hunting from perches near open areas. They are nocturnal, but will sometimes hunt at dusk or during the day in the winter. They eat mainly small mammals (including skunks), as well as birds, snakes, amphibians, fish and other species of owls!
Importance Of Great Horned Owls in Our Ecosystems
Like most owls, Great Horned Owls help keep nocturnal small mammal populations in check.
Threats to Great Horned Owls
There are currently no threats to this species.
Interesting Fact
-The Great Horned Owl is the only animal known that regularly eats skunks!
