Indigenous North American Tribes: Specific tribal names vary and may include cultural references related to the owl’s characteristics.
Description
Size: Medium to large owl, approximately 18-25 inches (46-64 cm) in length with a wingspan of 3.3-4.8 feet (1-1.5 meters).
Plumage: Mottled gray-brown with barring on the underside; facial disc bordered by a darker color with prominent ear tufts (feather tufts that resemble horns).
Eyes: Large, yellow eyes adapted for excellent night vision.
Beak: Strong and curved, used for tearing prey.
Distinctive Features: Notable ear tufts, deep hooting call (“hoo-hoo-hoo”).
Known Range
Native Range: Throughout North and South America, from the Arctic tree line to the southernmost tips of South America.
Habitat: Versatile; found in forests, deserts, wetlands, grasslands, urban areas, and even tundras.
Diet
Primary Diet: Carnivorous, feeding on a variety of prey such as small mammals (e.g., rabbits, rats, squirrels), birds, reptiles, amphibians, and occasionally fish.
Hunting Style: Nocturnal hunter with keen eyesight and acute hearing, using silent flight to ambush prey.
Breeding
Nesting: Typically uses old nests made by other large birds (e.g., hawks, crows), cliff edges, tree hollows, or man-made structures.
Breeding Season: Starts in late fall to early winter, with courtship characterized by duets between mates.
Clutch Size: Usually 1-4 eggs, laid over a period of several days.
Incubation: Around 30-37 days, predominantly by the female while the male provides food.
Lifecycle
Hatchlings: Born with white down and are initially helpless; depend on parents for warmth and food.
Fledging: Leave the nest after about 6-9 weeks but may still rely on parents for food for several months.
Maturity: Reach full independence by 6-10 months and sexual maturity around 2 years.
Lifespan: Typically 5-15 years in the wild, though some can live over 20 years. In captivity, they can live up to 30+ years.
Additional Notes
Special Features: Highly adaptable, known for their fierce predatory skills, which contribute to their nickname, “Tiger of the Sky.”
Vocalizations: Noted for a variety of calls including hoots, screeches, and whistles used for territory marking and communication between mates.
Conservation Status: Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its widespread and stable population.
