The Great Horned Owl in Tucson, AZ

What they look like:

• Size: Great horned owls are large birds, with a wingspan that can reach up to 5 feet. They typically weigh under 4 pounds but they sure look heavier!
• Plumage: They have a mottled brown and grey body with distinctive ear tufts (which aren’t actually ears) that resemble horns, hence their name.
• Eyes: Their large, yellow eyes are quite striking and provide excellent night vision, essential for their nocturnal lifestyle.  I love how their neck sort of spins around as their attention is caught.

Habitat

• Range: These owls are incredibly adaptable and are found throughout North and South America. In Tucson, they thrive in the desert landscape, urban areas, and even the mountainous regions.  "Our's" hides in a very bushy Palo Verde tree, where he must spend his days.
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  (this one was provided by my birding client who sends me full use photos weekly!!)

Behavior and Diet

• Nocturnal Hunters: They are primarily active at night, using their exceptional hearing and vision to hunt.
• Diet: They have a diverse diet that includes rodents, rabbits, birds, and even other owls. 
• Calls: Their call is a deep, resonant hoot, often described as “hoo-hoo-hoo hoo hoo.” It’s a familiar sound in the Tucson nights. 

Viewing Tips

• Best Times: The best time to spot a great horned owl is during dawn or dusk when they are most active.
• Locations: Look for them in areas with tall trees or open spaces where they can hunt. Tucson's parks and natural areas, such as Saguaro National Park, are great places to observe them.
• Listening: Sometimes you might hear them before you see them. Their distinctive hooting can guide you to their location.
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  (this one was provided by my birding client who sends me full use photos weekly!!  He told me this was a "nestling"  So cute!!!!)

Great horned owls are truly remarkable birds that add a touch of wilderness to the Tucson area. Whether you hear their haunting hoots at night or catch a glimpse of one perched majestically on a saguaro, they’re a wonderful reminder of the natural beauty that surrounds us.

I'm glad we have a new neighbor, even if he's a "night owl"!

Last summer, we had a little visitor staying in our new construction reno. They thought it was a pygmy owl. (He looks like a baby Great horned to me!) Then he got into our house!!

Fortunately, we were able to contact a professional who gently caught him and took him out to the preserve that backs up to our property.  

Now you can see my interest in owls!