Boreal Owl vs Great Horned Owl
Aegolius funereus compared with Bubo virginianus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Boreal Owl | Great Horned Owl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aegolius funereus | Bubo virginianus |
| Order | Strigiformes | Strigiformes |
| Family | Strigidae | Strigidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 55.0 cm (21.7 in) |
| Wingspan | 33.8 cm (13.3 in) | 127.0 cm (50.0 in) |
| Weight | 137.75 g (4.86 oz) | 1400.0 g (49.38 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Extremely diverse — mammals (rabbits, skunks, rodents), birds (including other raptors), reptiles, amphibians, and fish. … |
| Clutch Size | 3-6 | 1-4 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
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.
Song & Call Comparison
Boreal Owl
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.
Geographic Range & Migration
Boreal Owl
Great Horned Owl
North and South America from subarctic Canada to Tierra del Fuego. One of the most widespread owls in the Americas.
Conservation Status
Boreal Owl
Great Horned Owl
How to Tell Them Apart
Boreal Owl
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
About These Birds
Boreal Owl
The Boreal Owl (<em>Aegolius funereus</em>) is a small owl belonging to the family Strigidae (True Owls). It inhabits forest environments, where it relies on dense coniferous and mixed woodland cover for shelter and foraging. Detailed plumage and behavioral descriptions of this species are limited in the available literature. The Boreal Owl nests in cavities (nest type CV), making use of natural tree hollows or abandoned woodpecker holes. Incubation lasts approximately 29 days, and fledging occurs between 28 and 36 days …
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.