Great Horned Owl vs Northern Cardinal
Bubo virginianus مقارنةً بـ Cardinalis cardinalis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| السمة | Great Horned Owl | Northern Cardinal |
|---|---|---|
| الاسم العلمي | Bubo virginianus | Cardinalis cardinalis |
| الرتبة | Strigiformes | Passeriformes |
| الفصيلة | Strigidae | Cardinalidae |
| حالة الحفاظ | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| الطول | 55,0 cm (21.7 in) | 22,0 cm (8.7 in) |
| طول الجناح | 127,0 cm (50.0 in) | 30,0 cm (11.8 in) |
| الوزن | 1400,0 g (49.38 oz) | 44,0 g (1.55 oz) |
| النظام الغذائي | Extremely diverse — mammals (rabbits, skunks, rodents), birds (including other raptors), reptiles, amphibians, and fish. … | Seeds, grains, fruits, and insects. Especially fond of sunflower seeds at bird feeders. Feeds mainly … |
| عدد البيض في الوضع | 1-4 | 1-5 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
الموائل المشتركة
Great Horned Owl only
Northern Cardinal only
بلا
Great Horned Owl
Diverse habitats including forests, deserts, swamps, urban parks, and suburban areas. Nests in tree hollows, cliff ledges, and abandoned nests of other large birds.
Northern Cardinal
Woodland edges, thickets, gardens, and suburban areas. Prefers dense shrubby habitats for nesting.
Song & Call Comparison
Great Horned Owl
Deep, resonant 'who-who-who-who-ooo': the classic 'hoo-h'HOO-hoo-hoo' territorial duet of a mated pair. Booms at dusk. Female pitch slightly higher than male.
Northern Cardinal
Loud, clear whistled phrases: 'cheer-cheer-cheer' and 'birdy-birdy-birdy'. Both male and female sing; female song is softer. Alarm is a sharp metallic 'chink'.
Geographic Range & Migration
Great Horned Owl
North and South America from subarctic Canada to Tierra del Fuego. One of the most widespread owls in the Americas.
Northern Cardinal
Eastern and central North America from southern Canada to Mexico and Guatemala. Expanding range northward.
حالة الحفاظ
Great Horned Owl
Northern Cardinal
How to Tell Them Apart
Great Horned Owl
Mottled grey-brown plumage with heavy dark barring. Prominent ear tufts, yellow eyes, and a white throat patch give a fierce expression.
Dark grey-black hooked bill almost hidden by facial disc feathers
Northern Cardinal
Males are brilliant crimson red overall with a black face mask. Females are warm buffy brown with reddish tinges on wings, crest, and tail.
Thick, conical, bright orange-red bill
About These Birds
Great Horned Owl
The great horned owl is the most powerful and widespread owl in the Americas, earning the nickname tiger of the sky. It is one of the earliest nesting birds, often laying eggs in January when snow still covers the ground. Great horned owls are fierce predators, regularly taking prey up to three times their own weight.
Northern Cardinal
The northern cardinal is the state bird of seven US states, more than any other species. Unlike many songbirds, both males and females sing, often in duets. Cardinals do not migrate and their brilliant red plumage against winter snow makes them a favorite among backyard birdwatchers.