(Genus, species: Bubo virginianus) We live in Alberta, Canada
and we've often seen Great Horned Owls sitting on poles or
gliding in the air as we drive around in our van. The Great
Horned Owl was adopted as Alberta's provincial bird on May 3,
1977, by a province wide children's vote. General: The Great
Horned Owl is one of Canada's most common birds of prey
(raptors) and lives here (and throughout North America) year
round. This owl hunts only at night and is most easily
identified by its large size and feathery ear tufts (horns).
Most Great Horned Owls mate for life laying 1 to 5 eggs each
year well before the snow melts. The black area in the picture
to the left represents the Great Horned Owl's living area. As
you can see, it's extremely widespread. Description - male:
Great Horned Owls are large owls -- about 18 to 25 inches long
and have a wingspan between 35-60 inches. They have light gray
to dark brown feathery ear tufts (which is how they ended up
with the name 'Horned' owl). They have horizontal brea