"BB" - a Great Horned Owl

This mature female great horned owl was stolen out of her nest when young and abnormally imprinted upon people. Imprinting is a window of time during a bird of prey's 2nd to 11th week of life. A mirror image of whatever they see they believe themselves to be. Their social, behavioral and sexual orientation is towards whatever they imprinted upon.

"BB" has no fear of people and will defend her territory when challenged. Transferred to OWL in 1995, this bird has become an important part of OWL's education program.

Fun Facts

Great horned owls are often called "flying tigers" because anything that moves is fair game.
They occupy nests of other animals or lay their eggs in indentations.
Found all over the United States and Canada.
Largest North American owl with ear tufts. The tufts aid in camouflage and are only feathers.
A nocturnal owl whose primary diet consists of skunks, rabbits, rats and mice.
Eyes are shaped like a roll of quarters and are binocular, enabling this owl to focus on objects from a long distance
Fringed edges of the feathers aid in silent flight and facial disks focus sound waves to the ears.
Their call is a "hoo hoo." Sometimes referred to as the "hoot owl."
For humans to see as well as a great horned owl, our eyes would have to weigh 5 lbs and be as big as softballs.
Eggs laid in January-February are incubated by the female for approximately 35 days.
Young fledge at about 70 days and stay with parents until late summer.
Average life span is approximately 10 years in the wild.

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