Bird of the Month - January

Great Horned Owl

This nearly ubiquitous owl is found across Tennessee.

The Great Horned Owl is more often heard than seen, but when you see one, you can't mistake it! They are the largest owl in Tennessee. They can look enormous when flying around at dusk or dawn. Starting in November or December, pairs of Great Horned Owls will begin calling and courting with nesting beginning as early as January. Young Great Horned Owls often leave the nest about the time our trees leaf out, in late March or early April.

Great Horned Owls use the widest range of habitats of any North American owl and is found in desert, grassland, suburban areas, deciduous and coniferous forest habitats. In Tennessee, it is found in areas of mixed fields and woodlands, including upland and bottomland forest, agricultural areas, and urban woodlands.

Great Horned Owls eat a large variety of prey items. They prefer mammals and are actually the only known animal to regularly prey on skunks!! They are also very aggressive and will kill other species of owl, including Barred Owls! They have been known to take herons, Canada Geese, and other large prey items too!!