Great+Horned+Owl

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//Bubo virginianus// Order: Strigiformes =**__Husbandry Information__**=

Diet Requirements

 * In the wild, great horned owls eat an extremely wide range of prey species - at least 253 different species! Basically, great horned owls will eat anything that they can kill. That said, rabbits and hares are its preferred prey.
 * In captivity, they are fed rats, mice, ducklings, chicks, quails, and Dallas Crown (horse meat).

Notes on Enrichment & Training


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Potential Messaging


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=__Comments from the Rating System__=
 * Binhamton Zoo at Ross Park: Elderly owls in general have been an issue with traveling - they topple easily inside the owl box
 * Buffalo Zoo: Due to size and strength, handler should be experienced with birds of prey
 * Henry Vilas Zoo: Impressive for groups; hard to train; had several set-backs in handling/training
 * Maryland Zoo in Baltimore: Requires highly skilled handlers; males can become aggressive after maturity.
 * Philadelphia Zoo: Intimidating to novice handlers

=__Natural History Information__=

Range and Habitat
Great horned owls are found throughout the United States and Canada, Central and South America. They live in forests, deserts, open country, swamps, and city park habitats.

Physical Description
The great horned owl is a member of the Eagle Owl group, characterized by large size, "ear" tufts, and a mottled brown coloration. Their coloration does vary according to location; they are nearly white in the north to dark brown and grey further south. Distinctive features include the white throat, the ear tufts, and yellow-orange eyes. Average size for this species is 18 to 25 inches long with a 36 to 60 inch wingspan. Great horned owls weigh 2 to 4 pounds. Females are 10 to 20% larger than males.

Life Cycle
Great horned owls are the first birds to nest each year, starting in January. They will utilize the nests of other birds such as hawks, crows, and herons. They may also use squirrel nests, hollows in trees, rocky caves, clumps of witches broom, abandoned buildings, or on artificial platforms. They typically lay 2 or 3 eggs, which are white and unmarked. Incubation takes 28 days, and the youngsters will fledge at 35 days. The young may be cared for by the adults for 5 months. Because it is so cold at the time of nesting, incubation begins immediately after each egg is laid. Consequently, the eggs will hatch in sequence, which gives the first hatchling an advantage over its younger siblings. Great horned owls can live 13 years in the wild and 29 to 38 years in captivity.

Behavior
This is the fiercest, most powerful owl in North America. They are extremely aggressive, especially when defending the nest. If they identify an intruder, they will attack - and continue to attack until the intruder is driven away or killed. Great horned owls are nocturnal with extremely good distance vision (although they cannot see clearly closer than 1 yard.) They spend their days roosting in quiet places often pressed tight against a tree. Outside of the mating season, this species is solitary. They make a variety of vocalizations, including hoots, shrieks, coos, and beak snapping.

Threats and Conservation Status
The only natural enemies of great horned owls are other great horned owls. Their range is wide and their numbers are abundant, so they have no special conservation status. It is against the law to harass, harm, or kill any bird of prey. In addition, only licensed persons may rehabilitate an injured hawk or owl.

Prejudices against birds of prey still persist among many who wrongly believe that they harm wildlife or present major threats to domestic animals. Biological studies have documented their ecological importance as major controls on rodent populations. Some birds of prey feed on snakes, insects or other potential pests. No species of raptor poses a significant threat to domestic animals.

Instruct guests to never litter, especially when they are in a car. Throwing trash out along the roads not only makes the roads less attractive, but can also attract animals to the sides of the road. Some of these animals might look appetizing to an owl, hawk, or other predator which are then more likely to be hit by passing vehicles. =__Did you know…__=
 * Great horned owls are the second largest owls in North America. Great grey owls are the largest.
 * Other common names are hoot owls, cat owls, or winged tigers.
 * Like other owl species, great horned owls can turn their heads almost 270 degrees. This movement is an adaptation because owls' eyes cannot move in their sockets like other animals.
 * The first published description was made in 1788 by Johann Gmelin. It was first seen in the Virginia colonies, so the species name was created from the Latinised form of the name of that territory.

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=__Contributors and Citations__=
 * The Philadelphia Zoo