Great Horned Owl vs Barred Owl
Bubo virginianus compared with Strix varia
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Horned Owl | Barred Owl |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bubo virginianus | Strix varia |
| Order | Strigiformes | Strigiformes |
| Family | Strigidae | Strigidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 55.0 cm (21.7 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 127.0 cm (50.0 in) | 68.2 cm (26.9 in) |
| Weight | 1400.0 g (49.38 oz) | 760.0 g (26.81 oz) |
| Diet | Extremely diverse — mammals (rabbits, skunks, rodents), birds (including other raptors), reptiles, amphibians, and fish. … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-4 | 1-5 |
| 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
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.
Barred Owl
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.
Barred Owl
Conservation Status
Great Horned Owl
Barred Owl
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
Barred Owl
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.
Barred Owl
The Barred Owl is a large owl of the family Strigidae found in mature forests, swamps, and mixed woodlands across much of North America. Weighing about 760g with a wingspan of 68.2cm, it is named for its distinctive horizontal barring on the breast. It is nocturnal and calls with a resonant 'who cooks for you' hooting, hunting small mammals, birds, and amphibians.