Great Horned Owl vs Mute Swan
Bubo virginianus comparé à Cygnus olor
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Great Horned Owl | Mute Swan |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Bubo virginianus | Cygnus olor |
| Ordre | Strigiformes | Anseriformes |
| Famille | Strigidae | Anatidae |
| Statut de conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Longueur | 55,0 cm (21.7 in) | 152,0 cm (59.8 in) |
| Envergure | 127,0 cm (50.0 in) | 235,0 cm (92.5 in) |
| Poids | 1400,0 g (49.38 oz) | 11000,0 g (388.01 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Extremely diverse — mammals (rabbits, skunks, rodents), birds (including other raptors), reptiles, amphibians, and fish. … | Submerged aquatic vegetation, algae, and grass. Feeds by upending in shallow water, reaching depths of … |
| Taille de la couvée | 1-4 | 5-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Habitats partagés
Mute Swan only
Aucun(e)
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.
Mute Swan
Lakes, slow rivers, estuaries, and coastal lagoons. Often associated with parks and ornamental waters in Europe.
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.
Mute Swan
Despite its name, not truly mute: gives hissing snorts and low grunting when threatened. Wings produce a loud rhythmic whistling throbbing sound in flight.
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.
Mute Swan
Native to Europe and western Asia. Introduced to North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Statut de conservation
Great Horned Owl
Mute Swan
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
Mute Swan
All-white plumage in adults. Cygnets are grey-brown, gradually whitening over the first year. Graceful S-curved neck posture is distinctive.
Orange bill with a prominent black knob at the base, larger in males
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.
Mute Swan
The mute swan is one of the heaviest flying birds, with males weighing up to 14 kg. Despite its name, it is not truly mute, producing hissing, grunting, and snorting sounds. Mute swans form lifelong pair bonds and their aggressive defense of nesting territory is well known.