Owls are amazing birds of prey that come in many different species. Two similar-looking owl species are the great-horned owl and the long-eared owl. While they share some physical characteristics, there are key differences between them that allow you to tell them apart.
Size and Wingspan
The great-horned owl is one of the larger owl species in North America. It has a body length of 18-25 inches, a wingspan of 40-60 inches, and weighs 2-4 pounds. The female great-horned owl is typically larger than the male.
The long-eared owl is a medium-sized owl. It measures 13-16 inches long, has a wingspan of 35-42 inches, and weighs 7-16 ounces. The male and female long-eared owls are similar in size.
So in general, the great-horned owl is nearly twice as large as the long-eared owl. If you spot a very large owl, it is likely a great-horned. A smaller to medium sized owl is more likely a long-eared.
Ear Tufts
One of the most identifiable features of both owls are their ear tufts. The great-horned owl has prominent ear tufts, usually over an inch long, that look like horns. The long-eared owl has long, slender ear tufts that can measure over 2 inches long. When perched, the long-eared owl often has its ear tufts raised straight up.
So while both owls have noticeable ear tufts, the great-horned owl’s are shorter and pointier, while the long-eared owl has longer, slimmer ear tufts.
Facial Disk
The facial disk of an owl contains specialized feathers that help direct sound to their ears. The great-horned owl has an orange facial disk with black outlines and white patches above the eyes. The long-eared owl has a tawny brown facial disk with darker vertical bars through the eyes and pale horizontal barring across the forehead.
So the great-horned owl’s facial disk has more definition while the long-eared owl’s is more subdued. The great-horned owl’s also features more orange coloration.
Plumage and Color
In terms of plumage, great-horned owls are mottled gray-brown overall with a white throat patch. Long-eared owls are pale brown with dark streaking on the head and body and pale horizontal barring on the belly and breast.
Great-horned owls can also exhibit color variations from nearly black to nearly white, but most are brownish-gray. Long-eared owls do not display much color variation across their range.
Range and Habitat
Great-horned owls have an extensive range across North and South America. They can adapt to many habitats from dense forests to deserts and grasslands. Long-eared owls primarily live in the central northern United States and Canada. They are found mainly in dense coniferous or mixed forests, especially near open meadows or marshes.
So if you spot an owl in open country or desert, it is likely a great-horned owl. And if you see one in heavy forest, especially in the northern U.S. or Canada, it is likely a long-eared.
Eyes and Beak
The eyes of great-horned owls are yellow while long-eared owls have orange eyes. Both owls have dark bills, but the great-horned owl’s is massive and hooked while the long-eared owl has a slimmer bill adapted for a diet of smaller prey.
Flight and Wingbeats
In flight, the larger great-horned owl has slower, more deliberate wingbeats compared to the quicker flaps of the long-eared. Great-horned owls soar with flat wing profiles, while long-eared owls fly with an arched wing profile and rapid wingbeats.
Vocalizations
The calls of these two owl species are very distinct. Great-horned owls make a low-pitched hooting “hoo-hoo-hoo hoo.” Long-eared owls make a series of soft, breathy hoots typically transcribed as “hoop, hoop, hoop.” Great-horned owl calls are deeper, gruffer, and more evenly spaced.
Nesting and Reproduction
Great-horned owls nest earlier starting in late winter. They do not build their own nests and instead use abandoned nests of other birds. Long-eared owls nest in early spring. They create nests in tree cavities or old nests of other birds. Great-horned owls typically lay 1-3 eggs while long-eared owls lay 4-6 eggs.
Hunting and Prey
As a large and powerful owl, the great-horned owl can tackle larger prey like hares, skunks, and geese. They even hunt other raptors. Long-eared owls mainly feed on small rodents like voles and mice. They hunt by hovering low over the ground listening for prey. Their slim bill is adapted for eating smaller animals.
So if you see an owl taking large prey or aggressively hunting bigger animals, it’s likely a great-horned. More delicate hunting focused on small rodents indicates a long-eared owl.
Key Identification Features
Here is a summary table of some of the main identification features to differentiate great-horned and long-eared owls:
Feature | Great-Horned Owl | Long-Eared Owl |
---|---|---|
Size | Large and bulky | Medium-sized and slim |
Wingspan | 40-60 inches | 35-42 inches |
Ear Tufts | Short and spiky | Long and slim |
Facial Disk | Orange with black outlines | Tawny brown with faint bars |
Plumage | Mottled gray-brown | Pale brown with streaks |
Range | Throughout Americas | Northern U.S. and Canada |
Habitat | Forests to deserts | Coniferous and mixed forests |
Eyes | Yellow | Orange |
Flight | Slow, soaring | Quick flaps |
Calls | Deep hoots | Soft hoop sounds |
Prey | Large mammals and birds | Small rodents |
Behavioral Differences
Great-horned owls are extremely aggressive and territorial. They are willing to attack much larger animals that encroach on their territories. Long-eared owls are docile and unlikely to be aggressive, even defending nests.
Great-horned owls are mostly nocturnal and scarce during the day. Long-eared owls are crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk. Long-eared owls regularly perch in the open during daylight.
When approached, great-horned owls tend to remain still and rely on camouflage to blend into surroundings. Long-eared owls flush more easily when approached and fly away low and quickly on rounded wings.
Conclusion
While great-horned and long-eared owls share some similar physical traits, there are distinct differences in size, plumage, habitat, behavior, and other characteristics that allow trained observers to distinguish them. The large, aggressive great-horned favors open areas and takes big prey. The slim, docile long-eared sticks to forests and hunts small rodents. Paying attention to key identification features like ear tufts, facial markings, and wingbeat patterns makes telling apart these two fascinating raptors much easier.