Little Owl vs Great Horned Owl
Athene noctua compared with Bubo virginianus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Little Owl | Great Horned Owl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Athene noctua | Bubo virginianus |
| Order | Strigiformes | Strigiformes |
| Family | Strigidae | Strigidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 55.0 cm (21.7 in) |
| Wingspan | 31.4 cm (12.4 in) | 127.0 cm (50.0 in) |
| Weight | 175.0 g (6.17 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
Shared Habitats
None
Little Owl only
Great Horned Owl only
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
Little 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
Little 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
Little Owl
Great Horned Owl
How to Tell Them Apart
Little 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
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.