Bubo virginianus virginianus

(Gmelin, 1788)

Vernacular names
English : Great horned owl
French : Grand-duc d’Amérique

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Strigiformes
Family : Strigidae
Notes : 14 other subspecies known.

Identification
Very large owl, reaching a length of 60 cm for a weight of 2.5 kg. Female often bigger than male. Big and erect ear-tufts. Coloration is light gray with black vermiculations. Dark wings. Subspecies with chestnut face and breast.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs in south-east Canada and east USA. Species found from Alaska to Colombia and Guianas and also in south Brazil and Argentina. Lives in all kinds of forests and dry or humid woodlands, even near cities.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species has been heavily persecuted but is now thought to be safe and even locally increasing. Legally protected in North America.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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