My Owl Page
Chiefly nocturnal birds of prey, with large heads, flattened faces forming facial disks, and large forward-facing eyes. Hooked bills, hooked claws, and usually feathered feet (outer toe reversible). Flight noiseless, mothlike. Some species have "horns" or "ears". Sexes similar, females larger. Food: Rodents, birds, reptiles, fish, large insects. Range: Nearly cosmopolitan. No. of species: World, 134; East Coast, 12 (+1 accidental).
The picture shows the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus), the "Cat Owl". A relly large owl (45-63 cm) with ear tufts or "horns". Heavily barred beneath; has a conspicuous white throat bib. In flight, as large as our largest hawks; looks neckless, large-headed. In Canada, races vary from very dark in the Maritimes to almost as pale as Snowy Owls around Hudson Bay.
Voice: A resonant hooting of 3 to 8 hoots. Male usually 4 or 5, in this rythm: Hoo, hoo-oo, hoo, hoo. Female lower in pitch, 6 to 8: Hoo, hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo-oo, hoo-oo.
Range: Tree limit to Tierra del Fuego. Habitat: Forests, woodlands, thickets, streamsides, open country.
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