The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) is one of the most common owls found across North America. These large, powerful owls can be found in a variety of habitats across the continent, ranging from dense forests to open fields and deserts. But are great horned owls found in the state of New York?
The answer is yes, great horned owls are prevalent across New York State. As one of the most adaptable owl species, great horned owls occupy territories across the state, from Long Island to the Adirondacks. They are found year-round and statewide in New York.
Physical Description
Great horned owls are large, stocky owls with prominent ear tufts, or “horns,” on the top of their head. They get their name from these feather tufts, which look like horns and help camouflage the owl.
Adult great horned owls have striking plumage. Their underparts are light with brown barring while their upperparts and wings are mottled brown, gray and buff. They have a white throat patch as well as bold white “eyebrows.” Their eyes are yellow and their large gray beak is hooked.
These owls have a wingspan of approximately 3-5 feet and stand around 22 inches tall. Females are larger than males. Great horned owls have large talons and powerful legs that allow them to grasp and overpower large prey. Their wings are large and rounded and their short tail is broad.
Overall, the great horned owl’s size, ear tufts, plumage patterns and large yellow eyes make them distinct and easily identifiable.
Habitat
Great horned owls occupy a diversity of habitats across New York. They are extremely adaptable birds and can thrive in various environments.
Some typical great horned owl habitats in New York include:
– Forests: Mature deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests. They roost and nest in the trees and hunt in more open areas.
– Woodlots: Small stands of trees in fields or near human habitations.
– Swamps: Great horned owls nest in trees around marshy swamps.
– Parks: Urban and rural parks with large old trees provide habitat.
– Backyards: Owls will visit yards with mature trees or nest boxes.
– Agricultural areas: Farmland, orchards and other agricultural areas offer hunting grounds.
– Open country: Grasslands, meadows, pastures and other open areas are frequented.
– Suburban areas: Great horned owls adapt well to suburbia. They nest in trees and hunt at night.
– Urban areas: Some owls nest in cities and hunt in urban parks and green spaces.
Great horned owls require areas with large trees for nesting as well as open spaces for hunting prey. They are not found in dense, unbroken forests with little edge habitat.
Range and Distribution
The great horned owl has an expansive range across North America. In the United States, they are found coast-to-coast and border-to-border in the lower 48 states as well as Alaska. They can be found across diverse habitats in every state.
Specifically in New York, great horned owls are found year-round statewide. They are common permanent residents of New York and occupy territories across the entire state.
According to the New York State Breeding Bird Atlas, great horned owls have been documented in survey blocks across the entire state of New York during both the 1980-1985 and 2000-2005 atlas periods.
The highest densities occur across the Appalachian Plateau and Hudson Valley regions. But great horned owls occur in suitable habitat in every county and region of New York.
It is believed New York represents the core range and ideal habitat for the great horned owl’s eastern population. The state provides an abundance of nesting sites, roosting spots, and feeding opportunities.
Migration and Movement
Great horned owls are non-migratory and typically stay within their home range all year-round. While some northern owls may migrate further south or to lower elevations in winter, most great horned owls remain permanent residents across New York.
They establish breeding territories and defend them year-round. A mated pair will reuse the same nesting site for many years if undisturbed. Territories range from less than one square mile in excellent habitat to over 6 square miles in marginal areas.
Younger owls are more likely to disperse outside their natal territory and wander further distances of up to several hundred miles when looking for a territory and mate of their own. But most great horned owls remain sedentary, staying within a fixed home range.
This lack of migration helps make great horned owls consistent, stable nesters across all parts of New York.
Population and Conservation
Great horned owls are thriving across New York. They are listed as a Species of Least Concern by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Estimated population densities range from 1 pair per <100 acres in prime habitat to 1 pair per 2.5 square miles in poorer habitat. Statewide, there are likely tens of thousands of resident great horned owls in New York. Their populations remain stable statewide, with no major threats. As highly adaptable birds, great horned owls can readily exploit human-altered environments, from rural farmland to urban areas. They do face some threats like habitat loss and vehicle collisions. Pesticides may also accumulate in their prey items. But overall, great horned owls persist and even thrive near human activity. There are no current conservation actions targeted towards great horned owls in New York. Maintaining mature forests with dead trees and snags for nesting will benefit local populations. Providing nest boxes may also help provide nesting sites where natural cavities are limited.
Breeding and Nesting
Great horned owls nest earlier than most other North American owl species. They begin breeding in late winter and may have active nests as early as January or February in New York.
Nesting activity peaks between February and April but may continue into early summer. By breeding early, great horned owls ensure their young fledge before spring food peaks.
Great horned owls do not build nests of their own. They rely on abandoned nests or natural cavities in dead trees and snags for nesting sites. Typically nests are 20 to 60 feet above ground. They may also use rock crevices, tree stumps, caves or artificial platforms.
Females lay 1 to 4 eggs (usually 2 or 3) at 1 to 2 day intervals. The eggs are elliptical, dull white and about 2 inches long. Only the female incubates the eggs for about a month while the male brings her food.
The whitish downy young, or owlets, hatch at intervals about 2 to 7 days apart. They take their first flights at around 2 months old but remain dependent on the parents into late summer. Most owlets do not survive to adulthood.
Diet and Hunting
As opportunistic hunters, great horned owls prey upon a wide variety of small to medium-sized animals. Their diverse diet includes:
– Rabbits and hares
– Squirrels
– Rats and mice
– Voles and moles
– Birds like ducks, grouse and geese
– Reptiles and amphibians
– Insects
– Bats
– Skunks
– Cats
– Fisher
– Weasel
They hunt mainly by perching on an elevated branch and swooping down on prey. Their exceptional hearing allows them to snatch prey in vegetation. They mainly hunt at night but also opportunistically during daylight.
In New York, common prey species include eastern cottontail rabbits, various rodents, and birds like grouse. Locally abundant prey like grey squirrels may also be frequent targets.
Great horned owls are ferocious predators. They can take down prey larger than themselves with their deadly talons. Their powerful grip delivers up to 28 pounds of pressure per square inch.
sounds
One of the most distinctive features of the great horned owl is its deep, booming territorial hoot. The classic hoot is a low-pitched “hoo-hoo-hooo hoo-hoo” sounding call used to establish territories and attract mates.
Other common great horned owl vocalizations include:
– Screeches – High-pitched screeches are used during agitation and nest defense.
– Clucking – A rapid clucking or gulping call signals warning or concern.
– Hissing – Hissing demonstrates hostility, especially during nesting season.
– Bill-snapping – Loud bill-snapping communicates aggression between competing owls.
– Juvenile begging calls – High-pitched whistling or squealing by young owls begging for food.
– Female barking – A barking falsetto call by females during the breeding season.
In New York, the iconic territorial hooting by dueting pairs can be heard from late winter through spring as owls begin nesting activities. Young owls may produce begging calls at the nest in late spring.
Behavior
Great horned owls are mostly nocturnal and crepuscular, being most active during nighttime and dawn/dusk. But they can exhibit some diurnal activity as well. They spend daylight hours roosting in sheltered spots like tree cavities.
Most of their hunting occurs from dusk to dawn. At night, they survey territory from a high perch before swooping down to ambush prey using sharp vision and hearing. During the day they may opportunistically hunt, especially around dawn and dusk.
Outside breeding season, they are generally solitary and occupy established home ranges. Breeding pairs occupy exclusive nesting territories, engaging in agonistic displays like wing-beating and vocalizations to defend sites.
When alarmed, great horned owls may fluff up their feathers, hiss, bill-snap and screech. Agonistic territorial behavior is primarily exhibited from December to August during breeding season. They become more docile in late summer and fall.
Although they have few natural predators, great horned owls may mobbed by crows, jays, ravens and smaller raptors when detected. Their camouflage and habit of roosting in heavy cover helps avoid harassment. But they are sometimes driven out of territory during the day.
Interesting Facts
Here are some additional interesting facts about great horned owls:
- Great horned owls have up to 55 different types of hoots, screeches, and vocalizations in their repertoire.
- Their ears are not symmetrical. The left ear is higher than the right to precisely locate sounds in three dimensions.
- They hunt mainly by sound in darkness. Their satellite-dish shaped facial discs channel sound waves towards the ears.
- Great horned owls are one of the earliest nesting North American birds. They may begin nesting in mid-winter.
- They have been known to attack and prey upon skunks, fending off their noxious spray.
- When food is scarce, only the strongest owlet in the nest may survive as siblings fight for food.
- They are the only owl in their range to have reddish brown rather than dark brown eyes.
- Their talons can crush the skull of a great blue heron.
- They have very few natural predators, but large hawks and eagles may kill owlets.
- Common nicknames include “great hoot owl” and “hoot owl.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, great horned owls are indeed widespread and well-established year-round residents across the entire state of New York.
These adaptable predatory birds thrive across diverse habitats from dense forests to suburbs and urban areas. Their early nesting season, expansive diet, and fierce territorial behavior allow them to flourish.
Great horned owls will likely remain a common sight and sound in backyards, parks, woodlands and wetlands across New York for years to come. Their booming hoots will continue resonating through both wilderness and developed areas as these magnificent owls maintain their prominent place as apex nocturnal predators in ecosystems across the state.