Diverse habitats including forests, deserts, swamps, urban parks, and suburban areas. Nests in tree hollows, cliff ledges, and abandoned nests of other large birds.
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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
Great Horned Owl
Song
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.
Collared Scops-owl
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Geographic Range & Migration
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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.
Collared Scops-owl
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Conservation Status
Least Concern
Great Horned Owl
Least Concern
Collared Scops-owl
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
Great Horned Owl
Plumage
Mottled grey-brown plumage with heavy dark barring. Prominent ear tufts, yellow eyes, and a white throat patch give a fierce expression.
Bill
Dark grey-black hooked bill almost hidden by facial disc feathers
Collared Scops-owl
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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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.
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More Birds in Family
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