Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus
The Great Horned Owl is Florida’s largest common owl, a powerful nighttime hunter recognized by prominent ear tufts and deep hooting calls.
Great Horned Owls live across Florida in forests, wooded neighborhoods, farms, and wetland edges. Their camouflage makes them difficult to see during daylight.
Pairs become vocal during courtship, and nesting often begins in winter. Adults strongly defend nest sites and young.
Habitat:
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Agricultural Areas, Urban and Residential Areas
Area / Range:
Statewide
Diet:
Its broad diet includes rats, rabbits, squirrels, birds, snakes, frogs, and other available prey.
Behavior:
Great Horned Owls hunt mainly at night from concealed perches. They use old hawk, eagle, crow, or squirrel nests rather than building their own.
Night, Dawn, Dusk
Active Times:
Best time to see:
At dusk, after dark, or near dawn in tall trees, wooded parks, and open areas beside forest cover.
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
Widespread native raptor. Local risks include vehicle strikes, rodent poison, habitat loss, and entanglement.
Safety Level:
Use Caution. Do Not Approach
Safety Information:
Never approach a nest or grounded young. Keep small pets supervised from dusk through dawn and avoid secondary-poisoning rodenticides.
Benefits to Property:
They provide natural control of rats, mice, rabbits, and other animals that may damage landscapes or structures.
Property Concerns:
Small poultry and unattended small pets may be vulnerable. Nesting owls may defend the immediate area.
Fun Fact:
The ear tufts are feathers, not ears. Their actual ear openings sit beneath facial feathers and help pinpoint prey in darkness.
Wildlife Laws:
Great Horned Owls, their nests, eggs, and feathers are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Florida law. Licensed rehabilitators handle injured birds.
Identification:
This large owl has widely spaced feather tufts, yellow eyes, a white throat patch, barred underparts, and mottled brown-gray plumage.
Credits:
Facts: Audubon Great Horned Owl field guide. Images: owl in flight and Florida owl family.