Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus

Size: 20-25"; up to 3 1/2-foot wingspan

Male: Robust brown "horned" owl. Bright yellow eyes and V-shaped white throat resembling a necklace. Has horizontal barring on the chest.

Female: Same as male, only slightly larger.

Juvenile: Similar to adults, lacking ear tufts.

Nest: No nest of its own; it takes over the nests of crows, Great Blue Herons, and hawks, or will use partial cavities, stumps, or broken-off trees. One brood per year.

Eggs: 2; white without markings

Incubation: 26-30 days; female incubates

Fledging: 30-35 days; male and female feed young

Migration: The Great Horned Owl can be found in St. Charles County year round.

Food: Small to medium mammals, snakes, insects, ducks, and other birds.