Great Horned Owl (species: Asio otus) in Birds of India (Gaia Guide)
Birds of India > Aves > Strigiformes > Strigidae > Asio > Asio otus (gallery)
Asio otus
Great Horned Owl


©Ján Svetlík: Asio otus

©allfr3d: Asio otus

©Michael Ransburg: Asio otus

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Strigiformes
Family Strigidae
Genus Asio
Species Asio otus

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Colours

                   

Distinguishing features

It has erect blackish ear-tufts, which are positioned in the center of the head. The ear-tufts are used to make the owl appear larger to other owls while perched. The female is larger in size and darker in coloration than the male. Its brownish feathers are vertically streaked. Tarsus and toes are entirely feathered. Eye disks are characteristic in this species.

Size

  • Up to 40 cm (Length of specimen)

Wingspan

  • Up to 100 cm

Synonyms

Distribution


©Achim Raschka: Yellow: Breeding range; Green: Year-round range; Blue: Wintering range 1. Asio otus otus (Europe, Asia, NW Africa, Azores) 2.Asio otus canariensis (Canary Islands) 3. Asio otus wilsonianus (E North America) 4. Asio otus tuftsi (W North America)

Audio recordings


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Recorded at Mława (near Mlawa), Mława County, Masovian Voivodeship in Poland.

© Piotr Szczypinski
(source)

Chronotypes

nocturnal (active at night)

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