Great Horned Owls hunt by perching on snags and poles and watching for prey, or by gliding slowly above the ground. From high perches they dive down to the ground with wings folded, before snatching prey. They hunt a wide variety of prey, ranging from insects to prey the size of a Great Blue Heron. Their food may consist of squirrels, mice, rabbits, snakes, skunks, weasels, porcupines, domestic cats, crows, ospreys, other owls, and hawks.

They use the old nests of hawks and herons, sometimes tree hollows or cliff edges, adding feathers from its breast to the nest material. Frequently uses Red-tailed hawk nests since both inhabit the same territory. Lays one to four white eggs.

Length: 18 to 25 inches

Wingspan: 36 to 60 inches

Habitat: Extremely varied; woods, deserts, suburbs.

Voice: Four to six deep, resonant hoots, given in various rhythms by different individuals; often like "hoohoohoohoohoo hoo." The female hoot is higher-pitched. They give a growling "krrooo-oo" or screaming note when attacking intruders. Most calling occurs from dusk to about midnight and then again just before dawn.

Other Behavior: Crows frequently mob the owl, and their drawn-out caws are often a clue to the owl's presence. The owl is more inconvenienced than disturbed by this and often just temporarily shifts its location. Great Horned, and all other owls, cough up pellets of undigested bones, fur, and feathers. Great Horned Owl's pellets are three to four inches long, and accumulate on the ground under its roosting spot. It has the most widespread range of all North American owls.